System and method to build a flyable holding pattern entry trajectory when the available space is limited

A non-transitory, computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform an operation, the operation comprising:

• tracking a position of an aircraft via a navigation system;
• receiving instructions for the aircraft to join a holding pattern at an entry waypoint according to an entry trajectory profile;
• identifying a discontinuity in the entry trajectory profile based on operational rules for the aircraft;
• in response to identifying the discontinuity in the entry trajectory profile, building a modified entry trajectory profile for the aircraft to join the holding pattern at the entry waypoint so that at least one aspect of the modified entry trajectory profile is changed relative to the entry trajectory profile to provide a continuous entry transition to the entry waypoint that complies with the operational rules of the aircraft, an airspace around the holding pattern is divided into a plurality of sectors using the entry waypoint as a reference point, the modified entry trajectory profile is built by:
• determining a sector from the plurality of sectors from which the aircraft would approach the entry waypoint with a current track angle of the aircraft moved to intersect the entry waypoint and with the aircraft pointing at the entry waypoint;
• and
• generating the modified entry trajectory profile based at least in part on the sector determined;
• and
• commanding, via a flight control system of the aircraft, the aircraft to join the holding pattern at the entry waypoint by flying according to the modified entry trajectory profile.

An aircraft, comprising:

• a system having one or more processors and one or more memory devices that store a program executable by the one or more processors to perform an operation, the operation comprising:
• tracking a position of the aircraft via a navigation system;
• receiving instructions for the aircraft to join a holding pattern at an entry waypoint according to an entry trajectory profile;
• identifying a discontinuity in the entry trajectory profile based on operational rules for the aircraft;
• in response to identifying the discontinuity in the entry trajectory profile, building a modified entry trajectory profile for the aircraft to join the holding pattern at the entry waypoint so that at least one aspect of the modified entry trajectory profile is changed relative to the entry trajectory profile to provide a continuous entry transition to the entry waypoint that complies with the operation rules of the aircraft by:
• determining a sector from a plurality of sectors from which the aircraft would approach the entry waypoint of the holding pattern with a current track angle of the aircraft moved to intersect the entry waypoint and with the aircraft pointing at the entry waypoint;
• and
• generating the modified entry trajectory profile based at least in part on the sector determined;
• and
• commanding, via a flight control system of the aircraft, the aircraft to join the holding pattern at the entry waypoint by flying according to the modified entry trajectory profile.