Definition
An aircraft approach category covering aircraft with a reference landing speed (Vref) of 91 knots or more but less than 121 knots. Approach categories (A through E) are based on 1.3 times the stall speed in landing configuration at maximum certificated landing weight, and they determine which instrument approach minimums and circling protected areas apply to a given aircraft.
Plain English
A grouping for aircraft that fly their final approach somewhere between 91 and 120 knots. The category sets which approach minimums on the chart you must use.
Context Anchor
Seen in runway incursion discussions, safety reports, and FAA descriptions of how serious a runway event was.
Derivation
Category comes from an old Greek word meaning a class or kind. Here it means the FAA is placing a runway incursion into a seriousness class; B is one level below the most severe class.
Why Pilots Care
Recognizing Category B incidents helps pilots understand near-miss risks and reinforces the need for strict runway discipline.
Grounding Statement
Category B describes a runway situation that was close enough to demand immediate attention, even though it did not become a collision.
Intuition Check
Category B does not mean a routine or moderate event just because it is not Category A. In this FAA use, Category B still means a serious runway incursion with significant collision potential.
Example Sentence 1
Most light twins and many high-performance singles fall into Category B, so the pilot briefed the Category B minimums on the ILS approach plate.
Example Sentence 2
Controllers reviewed the Category B event to identify ways to prevent similar separation losses during busy morning operations.