If you are instructed to hold and your published holding altitude is not provided, what should you do?

When you are instructed to hold and there is no published holding altitude provided, the appropriate course of action is to maintain your current assigned altitude. This is crucial for safety and operational compliance, as it ensures that you remain at a safe altitude while executing the holding pattern.

Holding patterns are typically used to manage air traffic and maintain orderly flow around airports or along airways, and altitudes are designated to ensure adequate separation from terrain and other aircraft. By maintaining your current assigned altitude, you are adhering to safe practices and staying within the operational parameters set by air traffic control.

In situations where a specific holding altitude is not issued, and you're not allowed to descend to another altitude, remaining at your current altitude mitigates risks associated with altitude encroachment and maintains vertical separation from other aircraft.

Choosing an alternative option, like holding at any altitude or descending to the minimum altitude might compromise safety by potentially leading to conflicts with other air traffic or terrain. Requesting a confirmation could also delay your response to the instructions given, which may not be practical, especially in busy airspace situations.