Narrative:

While in the holding pattern center advised to increase to 250 KTS and that we would have approach clearance momentarily. We were on the outbound leg. At 10 mi (leg length) we started our turn back toward the holding fix, the controller indicated he had told us he would call our inbound turn. We didn't understand nor read back that part of the clearance. We could have accommodated this clearance we just didn't hear it nor understand what he wanted. If the controller doesn't hear his entire instructions read back he should repeat it, in order to ensure compliance.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MLG ACFT IN HOLDING PATTERN WITH ATC INSTRUCTIONS TO INCREASE SPD. RPTR FLC TURNED INBOUND AT THE HOLD PATTERN LIMIT WHEN CTLR TOLD THEM THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY INSTRUCTED THEM TO WAIT FOR HIS DIRECTION TO TURN INBOUND. FLC DIDN'T HEAR OR READ BACK THOSE INSTRUCTIONS.

Narrative: WHILE IN THE HOLDING PATTERN CTR ADVISED TO INCREASE TO 250 KTS AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE APCH CLRNC MOMENTARILY. WE WERE ON THE OUTBOUND LEG. AT 10 MI (LEG LENGTH) WE STARTED OUR TURN BACK TOWARD THE HOLDING FIX, THE CTLR INDICATED HE HAD TOLD US HE WOULD CALL OUR INBOUND TURN. WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND NOR READ BACK THAT PART OF THE CLRNC. WE COULD HAVE ACCOMMODATED THIS CLRNC WE JUST DIDN'T HEAR IT NOR UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WANTED. IF THE CTLR DOESN'T HEAR HIS ENTIRE INSTRUCTIONS READ BACK HE SHOULD REPEAT IT, IN ORDER TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.