Case I port holding pattern altitude

[Hippo]

According to the CV NATOPS, 6.2.1,

Quote

Flights shall be established at their assigned port holding pattern altitude 10 nm prior to entering the pattern.

How does this work IRL, i.e., how and when is this altitude assigned?  And what to do in the (single player) game?  I normally just use 4.000 feet and wait for "charlie", but should this altitude have been passed to me by the tower on entering the CCA?  Another one for the wish list?

A recent mission I played had five other, single aircraft, AI flights arrive at around the same time as I did.  One AI went straight into the landing pattern (i.e. 800ft), the other aircraft went into the port holding pattern at 4k, 5k, 6k and 3k.  I was behind them.  How was I supposed to know which levels they were going to use?  How was I supposed to know which level I was supposed to use?

Edited 20 hours ago by Hippo

[draconus]

18 hours ago, Hippo said:

And what to do in the (single player) game?

Check p. 63-64 of SC manual. Basically the game won't tell you pattern altitude. I use radar/DL to check the picture of the stack (that's what you call port holding pattern) and just place myself 1k ft over the highest one but it's very rare in SP to even have someone before you when you get charlie as soon as you get within 3nm. Just good airmanship required.

IRL it depends wether it is CQ or COs. For CQ you take whatever Boss/Tower will order. For COs you'll use squadron altitude.

[Hippo]

42 minutes ago, draconus said:

For COs you'll use squadron altitude.

Thank you.  Just a couple of clarifications please.  COs = commanding officer?  Meaning what with regard to my question? And what is "squadron altitude"?

Edited 2 hours ago by Hippo

[draconus]

For COs - I meant Cycling Ops. CQ - Carrier Quals (qualifications).

Squadron altitude is the stack alt established for your squad before the flight.

Edited 2 hours ago by draconus