Hold geometry and sequencing
The fix, inbound course, turn direction and leg definition all affect the pattern. A correct-looking racetrack drawn around the wrong fix is still the wrong hold.
Copy the clearance
Record fix, course, turns, leg and the rest of the clearance.
Write down the holding fix, inbound course, turn direction, leg time or distance, cleared altitude, speed restriction and any expected further clearance time (EFC). Keep altitude and EFC separate from the pattern settings.
Open the hold function
Open NAV INDEX 1/2. FSS lists a direct 5R HOLD prompt and a 5L PATTERNS → HOLD path.
Select the fix
The NAV and F-PLN pages describe the direct HOLD prompt differently: F-PLN says NAV → HOLD places *HOLD* on the scratchpad, while NAV also describes HOLD as a direct selection. Follow the prompt shown. If *HOLD* is in the scratchpad, press the left line key beside the intended waypoint on FPL and confirm its name and position.
Enter parameters
Compare course, turn direction and leg with the clearance.
On HOLDING PATTERN, check the fix, speed, inbound course, turn direction and leg time or distance. Enter EFC if the clearance includes one. The current FSS page lists no cleared-altitude field.
Apply and inspect
Apply to MOD and inspect the shape and onward route.
INSERT/APPLY creates a MOD plan. Review the proposed hold and onward route on the map.
Activate and monitor
Activate and watch the actual leg,
FMA and aircraft track.
Activate the verified modification. Watch the active leg, lateral FMA and aircraft track.
Plan the exit
Check the onward clearance and leg before requesting an exit.
Before using an EXIT or RESUME prompt, check the expected exit leg and onward clearance.
Set altitude separately from the hold entry: turn ALT SEL to the cleared altitude and confirm the target on the PFD. Selecting an altitude sets the target; it does not by itself start a climb or descent. The current FSS NAV guide lists no altitude field on HOLDING PATTERN.
EFC is an expected further-clearance time; follow the clearance and applicable procedure before leaving the hold. FSS NAV [84] · FSS vertical modes [38] · PFD selected altitude [62].
Expect the hold to repeat until you exit it. If the track differs from the chart, check the fix, inbound course, turn direction, leg length and active MOD route; then compare the FMA and actual track with the clearance. An 8 November support report said an inserted hold became an “infinite route”; a second user reported the same trouble on 9 November. In a separate 9 November report, a programmed VFR hold did not match the chart. A reply said the hold program was not working yet and recommended flying the pattern manually. Evidence is mixed: a separate E190 version 1.0 flight later described its programmed hold as flown and exited correctly despite an odd-looking map. The transcript does not show the entry or enough display detail to verify that assessment. The Discord reports give no confirmed build or diagnosis. These individual observations do not prove that programmed holds always work or always fail. If your track and route differ from the clearance, do not assume the programmed pattern is correct; use the chart and clearance to manage the hold manually. Hold-entry report [151] · VFR hold report [152] · Follow-up [153] · E190 version 1.0 flight, 1:48:50 [154]. [84] [38] [62]