Sorry about the delay in replying. The controller need not enter the time or
even think about it...timing the holding pattern is the pilot's
responsibility. If the controller's flow plan has another plane
approaching/descending to the same holding fix, all he needs is the report
of entering. I think the time report is just for the audio tape.

And, of course, there is no such thing as a VFR holding pattern. In my
experience, if ATC wants me to kill time when VFR they will tell me to stay
clear of the airspace that I wanted to enter and circle. Where and how is up
to me.

I remember one night way back when, when I was arriving at Reno for the air
races and it was after dark. Everybody was VFR, and ATC had us all hanging
around in the vicinity of the VOR with no other separation than that we
imposed on ourselves...lotta plane-to-plane chatter about altitudes and
general direction from the VOR.

Bob Gardner

"Stubby" wrote in message
...
Bob Gardner wrote:
"Now" is fine, providing that you are a good enough multitasker to be on
top of any required turn. However, because timing is one of the
requirements of a holding pattern (adjust outbound to make inbound one
minute), "now" suffers in comparison to "at oh-five past the hour," which
should trigger a stop-watch hack by the pilot. "Now" certainly serves the
purpose of letting the controller clear the next guy.

Do controllers put that time into a computer which assists in separation?
Are we assuming VFR?