Definition
A precision instrument approach and landing operation conducted to a decision height (DH) lower than 200 feet but not less than 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation, with a runway visual range (RVR) not less than 1,200 feet. Category II operations require specially certified aircraft, qualified flight crews, an approved operator, and a ground-based ILS facility certified to Category II standards.
Plain English
An ILS approach that lets a pilot fly down to a lower altitude in worse visibility than a standard approach, before they need to see the runway to land. It needs special equipment, special crew training, and a runway set up to support it.
Context Anchor
Seen in ILS approach discussions, especially around marker beacons, because the inner marker may be used to help identify the decision-height area on some Category II ILS approaches.
Derivation
Category' comes from Greek katēgoria, meaning a class or division. The FAA and ICAO grade ILS approaches into Categories I, II, and III based on how low and how poor the visibility can be before the approach is no longer permitted. Category II is the middle tier — tighter than a standard approach (Cat I), but not as demanding as Cat III.
Why Pilots Care
They permit continued landings at airports when weather drops below standard Category I limits, improving access without compromising safety.
Grounding Statement
Picture an aircraft on an ILS in very poor visibility, descending close to the runway before the crew must decide whether they can see enough to land safely.
Intuition Check
Category II does not mean a general difficulty level or a pilot skill ranking. It means a specific approved class of low-visibility instrument approach and landing operation with defined limits and equipment requirements.
Example Sentence 1
The captain confirmed both pilots were current for Category II operations before briefing the approach into the fog-bound airport.
Example Sentence 2
Before departure the dispatcher confirmed the aircraft and crew were approved for Category II operations at the destination.