In decades of IFR flying, I’ve rarely had to hold to allow other aircraft ahead to fly approaches. But as you’ll see in this video, as I cruised above a sold layer enroute to Bremerton, WA (KPWT) to fly the RNAV (GPS) RWY 02 approach, Seattle Approach informed me that I was number three for that approach to the non-towered airport, behind two Cessna 172s that, like me, were doing instructional or IFR proficiency flights.
ATC instructed me to climb to the top of the stack at 5000 and hold as published at ZOLGI, an initial approach fix for the RNAV approach. On a typical training flight, the hold at ZOLGI is used in lieu of a procedure turn to help aircraft arriving from the north or east smoothly join the approach. But on this day, I had to make four laps around the hold as I waited for my turn to fly the approach and land. Fortunately, I had plenty of fuel, and if necessary, I could have diverted to Boeing Field, which was VFR. The lesson, however, is always be prepared to hold and have ample fuel reserves when you’re IFR.