Definition
A specific reference to Section 5-3-7 of the FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), which contains the official guidance on holding procedures, including standard holding pattern shape, timing, entry procedures (direct, parallel, and teardrop), and pilot responsibilities when cleared to hold.
Plain English
It's the part of the FAA's official pilot reference book that tells you exactly how to fly a holding pattern, including which of the three entry methods to use depending on the direction you're approaching from.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument training material when the Instrument Flying Handbook points pilots to the AIM for standard holding pattern entry procedures.
Derivation
The AIM uses a numbering system where the first digit is the chapter, the second is the section, and the third is the paragraph. So 5-3-7 means Chapter 5 (Air Traffic Procedures), Section 3 (En Route Procedures), Paragraph 7 (Holding). Knowing the numbering pattern makes it easy to locate any AIM reference quickly.
Why Pilots Care
Following the procedures in this paragraph ensures consistent, safe, and ATC-compliant entries into holding patterns.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as just a random paragraph number. It is a specific FAA reference: AIM section 5-3-7, used to locate the official guidance on holding procedures.
Example Sentence 1
When my instructor asked which entry I'd use for the hold, I pictured the diagram from paragraph 5-3-7 in the AIM and chose a teardrop.
Example Sentence 2
ATC cleared the flight direct to the fix, so the pilot used the direct entry described in paragraph 5-3-7 in the AIM.