Narrative:

Due to dfw closure; we were issued holding at the weirs intersection. This intersection was not on our arrival. I programmed the hold as a database hold. We allowed the FMS to enter the hold. The aircraft wanted to slow to a holding speed of 233. This speed put us below the vls or right at vls. The pilot flying and I agreed that this was too slow a speed to hold at based on our altitude; and weather conditions. The aircraft entered the hold; but seemed to exceed the holding area; based on our conversation with ATC. After two turns in the hold; we decided that due to the approaching weather on the outbound leg; we needed to vacate the holding fix. We were then issued a hold at the herri intersection. The hold was entered as a database hold. We proceeded to the new hold and allowed the FMS to enter the hold. It appeared that the entry was parallel. The aircraft completed parallel entry hold at a distance of 37 NM from the fix. ATC inquired on several occasions as to confirm if we had the correct fix and turns in the hold. I read back the correct ATC holding clearance. Both the pilot flying and I confirmed three times the correct holding in the FMGC. The pilot flying had to go into heading mode on two occasions to keep the aircraft in the holding protective area. Because of the slow programmed holding speed and weather conditions; flying at a higher speed caused us to exceed the ATC holding airspace. This also increased the turn radius and holding pattern; which led to ATC questioning our holding procedures.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A321 flight crew reports difficulty remaining inside the holding airspace at FL360 when the FMGC is allowed to fly the hold but the speed is increased to 245 knots due to thunderstorms in the area.

Narrative: Due to DFW closure; we were issued holding at the WEIRS intersection. This intersection was not on our arrival. I programmed the hold as a database hold. We allowed the FMS to enter the hold. The aircraft wanted to slow to a holding speed of 233. This speed put us below the Vls or right at Vls. The Pilot Flying and I agreed that this was too slow a speed to hold at based on our altitude; and weather conditions. The aircraft entered the hold; but seemed to exceed the holding area; based on our conversation with ATC. After two turns in the hold; we decided that due to the approaching weather on the outbound leg; we needed to vacate the holding fix. We were then issued a hold at the HERRI Intersection. The hold was entered as a database hold. We proceeded to the new hold and allowed the FMS to enter the hold. It appeared that the entry was parallel. The aircraft completed parallel entry hold at a distance of 37 NM from the fix. ATC inquired on several occasions as to confirm if we had the correct fix and turns in the hold. I read back the correct ATC holding clearance. Both the Pilot Flying and I confirmed three times the correct holding in the FMGC. The Pilot Flying had to go into heading mode on two occasions to keep the aircraft in the holding protective area. Because of the slow programmed holding speed and weather conditions; flying at a higher speed caused us to exceed the ATC holding airspace. This also increased the turn radius and holding pattern; which led to ATC questioning our holding procedures.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.