Garmin plans to release updated system software (version 6.x) for the GTN series of navigators in February 2016. The software includes several new features, including the ability to create an ad-hoc hold at any fix.
To learn about and practice using the new features, download the latest version of the free GTN 750 PC Trainer Lite from Garmin. The download includes updated manuals (PDFs) for the GTN series avionics that describe the new features in version 6.x.
I have experimented with the new holding features in the simulation, and it seems simple and intuitive.
Creating a Hold (as Published)
Suppose, for example, that ATC clears you to hold as published at an en route fix such as CARRO intersection, located southwest of Seattle along V27.
As this close-up view shows, a standard (right turns, one-minute inbound leg) holding pattern is charted southwest of CARRO at the 24 nm DME fix on SEA 230 radial (or the intersection of the SEA 230 and OLM 346 radials).
That en route hold isn’t in the GTN 750 database, however (it’s not part of an departure, arrival, or approach). If you were flying along V27 with the current version of the GTN system software and instructed to fly the hold, you would proceed to CARRO, select the OBS feature, set the inbound course on your HSI to 050 degrees and fly the hold using the heading bug and a timer.
The forthcoming software automates that process, as the following captures from the GTN trainer show.
Assume you’re flying V27 northeast, toward SEA.
On the flight plan page in your GTN 750, touch CARRO (one of the fixes along the airway). The Waypoint Options menu appears. Hold At Waypoint is one of the new options.
Touch Hold at Waypoint. The Hold at Waypoint menu appears.
Touch the appropriate buttons (Course, Direction, Turn, etc.) in series to enter the information required to fly the hold as cleared by ATC. As you can see, the Hold at Waypoint menu includes options such as Direction (to specify either the inbound or outbound course to or from the fix), Leg Time (or Distance for RNAV or DME holds), Turn (direction of turns in the hold), and Expect Further Clearance time (which sets a reminder that will appear when the EFC time arrives).
When you finish entering the required information, touch Load Hold. The GTN adds the hold as a waypoint in your active flight plan.
When you return to the map screen, the GTN 750 shows the hold you created drawn on the map.
As you continue inbound to the holding fix (CARRO), the hold becomes the active leg in your flight plan, and, because this is a timed hold, an automatic timer appears on the CDI display.
Note that GTN 750 enters SUSP mode as you enter the hold. And as you proceed outbound, the timer begins counting up as you pass abeam the fix on the outbound leg.
The timer resets as you join the inbound leg.
When you are cleared to leave the hold, touch the CDI display to return to the flight plan page, select the next fix in your route (or enter a new fix, depending on your clearance), and proceed. The GTN 750 switches out of SUSP mode and resumes normal waypoint sequencing.
A True Ad-Hoc Hold
The preceding example shows how to add a published hold along an airway to a route. Now let’s try a true ad-hoc hold at a fix specified by ATC.
Assume you’re southeast of Seattle, heading roughly north en route to Boeing Field (KBFI).
ATC clears you to hold at BLAKO intersection, as shown below. Your instructions are to hold north of BLAKO on the 340 degrees course (160 degrees inbound), 4 nm legs, right turns, with an EFC of 2001 UTC.
On the flight plan page, add BLAKO as a waypoint (if it’s not already in your flight plan), and then touch BLAKO to display the Waypoint Options menu.
Touch each option and fill in the appropriate information to specify the hold. Then touch Load Hold.
The hold you created appears in the flight plan…
And on the map, complete with the recommended entry procedure.
If your GTN 750 is connected to an autopilot with GPSS capability, the autopilot can fly the entire hold, including the entry. Because this hold is based on distance, not time, the GTN 750 doesn’t show a timer on the CDI. Instead, it prompts you to turn inbound at the appropriate distance outbound from the holding fix.
I look forward to updating the GTN 750 in my Bonanza. I might even look forward to flying holds.
BruceAir, LLC 
Thanks, Bruce. Looking forward to this user friendly feature.
I do have another question. I got 750/650 combo a few months ago and have played with it a lot.
One problem that vexes me is normally there is a destination airport in the flight plan I can click on and get the freqs for ATIS, TRW, GRND, Etc. If I load an approach, the destination goes away and from what I can see, it becomes very tedious trying to get those freq. The “easiest” way I can find is to click on the standby box in the comm #2 and then find, and type the first few letters of the airport and then freqs then click on multiple freqs,and then the the freq and xfer to the standby. What a pain. Why doesn’t Garmin leave the destination airport in the flight plan? Am I missing the obvious? Thanks, Ron
I have added an item to my blog with my take on how on the new software appears to handle flight plans that include procedures.
What about holds that don’t use a VOR or waypoint but distance from a VOR, such ” hold 10 DME north of BLAKO on the 340 degrees course, 4 nm legs, right turns, with an EFC of 2001 UTC.”
At present, the ad-hoc hold feature does not support fix-DME holds, only holds at fixes in the database. You can read about the new features in the updated GTN manuals, available in my Aviation Documents folder at OneDrive: https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=110aa5b593d58477&id=110AA5B593D58477!6338
I guess the solution is to create a user waypoint for the DME fix, but if things are busy, that’s going to be difficult to accomplish, especially if you are given the hold within four minutes of the start of it.
In a harried circumstance like that, where you need time to wrap you head around a hold instruction, is it unreasonable to reply “unable”?
If you’re overloaded, ask ATC for a delay vector, amended holding instructions, or other instructions. In the real world, you’re unlikely to get a hold that’s difficult to enter. ATC usually assigns published holds or holds at fixes that likely to be in your database. If you do get a hold at a DME fix, it shouldn’t be too hard to proceed toward that fix, and once established on that course, work out how to fly to hold.
Hello, Do GTN adjust the fly pattern to reach the fix to exit the holding at EFC?
No. You can read about the features in the GTN by downloading the current version of the Pilot’s Guide from the Garmin website.