Cecil,

Cecil E. Chapman wrote:
I have to admit that I am going to have to woodshed a little more on
holding
patterns. Such an irony, that the very thing we will be tested on in the
practical (i.e., holding patterns) represents something that we may never
be
asked to do in our entire flying career.

I'm sure other IFR pilots, and perhaps your CFI, have told you this - it
simply is not true. I have been given numerous holds by ATC here in the Bay
Area (where you are). Also, many approaches have a hold as part of their
misssed approach. As yourself what happens if you lose comms. I remember
hearing NorCal giving a military pilot a hold and ATC had to literally
describe to the pilot how to fly it (over PYE if I remember correctly) - I
was amazed.

Moreover, if you go into the exercise of learning holds with the thought
that you'll never use them, you probably won't maximize the learning
experience.

Hilton