Which action must be taken for aircraft issued holding instructions regarding SPA?

• A. Aircraft issued holding instructions must be placed in the SPA.
• B. Holding instructions do not require SPA.
• C. Only arrivals must be placed in the SPA.
• D. SPA is for completed actions.

Answer: (A)

When you issue holding instructions, you must place the aircraft in the SPA. This keeps the holding aircraft visible and tracked in the automation and by the controller, so you can manage its position relative to the fix, monitor how long it’s been in hold, and determine when to lift or modify the clearance. The SPA provides the current status of the hold, supports proper sequencing with other traffic, and helps ensure separation is maintained while the flight awaits further instructions. Without entering the hold into the SPA, you risk losing track of the aircraft’s hold status and disrupting flow planning.