The protected airspace of a holding pattern must not overlap what?

The protected airspace of a holding pattern must not overlap the protected airspace of an airway because each airway has specific dimensions that are established to ensure safe separation between aircraft. Airspace around airways is designed to keep aircraft within defined lateral and vertical limits, which helps to manage air traffic flow and prevent collisions.

When an aircraft is in a holding pattern, it is crucial that the lateral area used for the hold does not infringe upon the airspace allocated for the airway. Overlapping these airspaces could result in safety hazards, as multiple aircraft could occupy the same airspace at the same time, potentially leading to conflicts. Therefore, the regulation ensures that airspace integrity is maintained, allowing for safe navigation and air traffic management around both the holding pattern and the airway routes.

The other options, while related to airspace considerations, do not specifically address the critical need for separation between holding patterns and airway protected airspace.