Definition
An aircraft approach category used to group aircraft for instrument approach procedure minimums, defined as having a reference landing speed (VREF, or 1.3 times the stall speed in landing configuration if VREF is not specified) of 166 knots or more. Category E aircraft must use the highest approach minimums published on an instrument approach chart and are typically high-performance military aircraft.
Plain English
If an aircraft's landing approach speed is 166 knots or faster, it falls into Category E and must use the strictest approach minimums shown on the chart.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach procedure information, approach category tables, and discussions of landing minimums.
Derivation
Approach categories were created so that approach minimums could be matched to how fast an aircraft actually flies the final approach. Faster aircraft need more room to maneuver, see the runway, and recover if something goes wrong, so they get higher (more conservative) minimums. Category E is the fastest tier.
Why Pilots Care
Category E aircraft require larger turn radii and protected airspace on approaches, resulting in higher minimum altitudes and different procedure segments than slower categories.
Grounding Statement
A Category E aircraft reaches the runway area quickly and needs more space for turns and corrections than slower approach categories.
Intuition Check
Category E is not a pilot certificate category and not a rating of pilot skill. Here, it means an aircraft approach speed group: 166 knots or faster.
Example Sentence 1
Because the aircraft's VREF was 170 knots, the crew used the Category E minimums on the ILS approach chart.
Example Sentence 2
A pilot flying a military jet with an approach speed above 166 knots uses the Category E minima on the ILS chart.