737 MAX Flight Crew Operations Manual
Flight Management, Navigation -
FMC Descent and Approach
11.43.22
MN-FLT-OH-201
• teardrop entries use an FMC calculated offset angle designed to
intercept the outbound leg at the point where the inbound turn begins
• parallel and teardrop entries may cause the airplane to fly beyond the
displayed holding pattern; however, the airplane remains in protected
FAA or ICAO limits.
Descent in Holding
The FMC provides the capability for starting descents when in the holding pattern
airspace with a T/D displayed on one of the holding legs. This is based on the
airplane entering the Hold in the Cruise phase of flight.
• The requirement is to descend in VNAV while holding when a T/D is
encountered in the holding pattern, the MCP ALT has been lowered, and
the EXIT ARMED mode has been executed.
When an exit from a holding pattern is requested by the pilot through a CDU
action:
• a turn path to the inbound leg is generated immediately if the airplane is
on the outbound leg or in the fix end turn when the T/D does not occur
in the hold pattern.
• the entire hold pattern is flown when the T/D occurs in the hold pattern.
After EXIT HOLD has been executed, T/D, if applicable, will be displayed on the
holding exit lateral path. The FMC switchs from cruise to descent upon passing
T/D if the MCP altitude is lower than the FMC CRZ altitude. The descent is
performed in a SPEED on Elevator mode at holding speed until leaving the
HOLD.
HOLD Page
The hold page is used to enter a holding pattern into the route.
When the flight plan does not have a holding pattern, push the HOLD function key
to show the LEGS page with the HOLD AT line.
Two versions of the hold page are possible:
• an airway or procedure holding pattern (from the navigation database)
• a flight crew–entered holding pattern.
The holding page shows actual or default data about the holding pattern.
Entries make route modifications, which can be erased or executed.
Active holding patterns are magenta on the navigation display.
March 1, 2021
