What does the term "holding pattern" refer to in aviation?

The term "holding pattern" refers specifically to a flight maneuver that allows an aircraft to maintain its position in the air while awaiting further instructions from air traffic control. This maneuver is typically used when air traffic congestion or bad weather prevents an aircraft from landing immediately. In a holding pattern, the aircraft flies a predetermined racetrack pattern, which includes turns and straight segments, allowing the pilot to remain in a specified airspace until cleared for landing or given further routing.

Holding patterns are crucial in active air traffic management and help in maintaining safe separation between aircraft, ensuring an orderly flow of traffic around busy airports. The pilot's ability to enter, fly, and exit these patterns is an important aspect of instrument flight training and operations, especially under instrument flight rules (IFR), where navigation and control are primarily reliant on instruments and procedures.