When losing communications, should you hold over the airport or over the fix?

Holding over the fix is the correct answer because it typically allows for a more structured approach to re-establishing communication and maintaining an organized flow of traffic. Holding over the fix ensures that you stay on the air traffic control’s intended route and can easily be sequenced into their traffic flow when communication is restored.

When holding over a fix, you are maintaining your position within the airspace designated by air traffic control, thereby facilitating an efficient resolution to the communication loss. This is especially crucial when surrounding air traffic is also a factor, as holding at a specific fix provides a defined point that controllers can reference.

Alternatively, holding over the airport could create a more complicated situation, as it may not align with the controlled airspace structure and could potentially lead to traffic conflicts or inefficiencies in getting back into the flow. Therefore, holding over the fix is generally seen as the best practice in the event of lost communications, particularly when managing air traffic communications is critical.