What does the term "Holding Pattern" describe?

The term "Holding Pattern" refers specifically to a predetermined flight path that allows aircraft to fly in a circular route. This pattern is utilized primarily when air traffic control needs to manage traffic flow, allowing an aircraft to remain in a specific area while awaiting further instructions for landing or departure.

Holding patterns are characterized by their design, which typically involves a series of turns and straight segments. They ensure that an aircraft can maintain its position safely and efficiently while providing adequate separation from other air traffic.

The other options focus on different aspects of aviation procedures. A standard flight approach procedure refers to the specific method for guiding an aircraft toward the runway during landing, not to the holding patterns that might precede this stage. Tactical navigation involves strategies used in military operations, relating more to maneuvering than to the defined path of a holding pattern. A procedure for departing aircraft pertains to takeoff sequences and does not involve the concept of holding in a circular flight path prior to departure. Thus, the definition of a holding pattern aligns directly with the concept of maintaining a circular route, making option B the correct answer.