Definition
A grouping of aircraft based on a reference landing speed (VREF), if specified, or if VREF is not specified, 1.3 VSO at the maximum certificated landing weight. The categories are: Category A (speed less than 91 knots), Category B (91 knots or more but less than 121 knots), Category C (121 knots or more but less than 141 knots), Category D (141 knots or more but less than 166 knots), and Category E (166 knots or more). VREF, VSO, and the maximum certificated landing weight are those values as established for the aircraft by the certification authority of the country of registry.
Plain English
A letter (A through E) that sorts aircraft by how fast they fly their final approach to land. Slower aircraft get earlier letters; faster ones get later letters. The category determines which set of approach minimums on an instrument approach chart applies to that aircraft.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach procedures, especially when choosing the correct minimums for straight-in or circling approaches.
Why Pilots Care
Directly determines the minimum runway length required and the protected airspace dimensions for each approach, affecting which airports and procedures an aircraft can legally and safely use.
Intuition Check
Aircraft Approach Category is not a measure of pilot skill, aircraft size, or how difficult the approach is. In this FAA use, it is a speed-based group used to apply the correct approach procedure criteria.
Example Sentence 1
Our VREF on this approach is 105 knots, which puts us in Category B, so we use the Category B minimums on the chart.
Example Sentence 2
When planning an ILS to a short runway, the pilot confirmed the aircraft remained in Category B after adding extra fuel.