Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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 (166 knots or more). VREF, , and the maximum certificated landing weight are those values as for the aircraft by the authority of the country of registry.