An aircraft approach category is a grouping which differentiates aircraft based on the speed at which the aircraft approaches a runway for a landing.
Categories
The approach speed used in these categories is defined as the
VRef of a given aircraft at the
maximum certificated landing weight (if
VRef is not specified, the approach speed is given as the
VS0multiplied by 1.3). The values of
VRef,
VS0, and the maximum certificated landing weight are established for the aircraft by the certification authority of the country of registry. An aircraft shall fit in only one category. If it is necessary to maneuver at speeds in excess of the upper limit of a speed range for a category, the minimums for the next higher category should be used. For example, an aircraft which falls in Category A, but is circling to land at a speed in excess of 90 knots, should use the approach Category B minimums when circling to land. The categories are as follows:
* Category A: Speed 90 knots or less.
* Category B: Between 91 and 120 knots.
* Category C: Between 121 and 140 knots.
* Category D: Between 141 knots and 165 knots.
* Category E: Speed 166 knots or more (''Category E contains only certain Military Aircraft).''
* Category H is used only for helicopters but without specific
VRef. See performance category in ADEXP 3.1 (link provided below).
Another is DL: Category DL aircraft have the same assumed approach speeds as category D aircraft, however, their maximum wing span is assumed to be 80 m (65 m for category D) and the maximum vertical distance between the wheels and the glide path antenna is 8 m (7 m for category D). (A380, AN225 and ‘monsters’ alike).
Aircraft Approach Category (ICAO)
While the speed ranges used to determine an aircraft's approach category are identical to 14 CFR 97.3 (
ICAO
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international a ...
Doc 8168 PANS-OPS Vol 1, Section 4, Paragraph 1.3.5), the maximum permitted speed for visual maneuvering is significantly higher. The method used for determining the approach category speed is slightly different: V
AT = speed at threshold based on 1.3 times
VS0 or 1.23 times
Vs1g at maximum certificated weight. Additionally, speed ranges are specified for other segments of the approach: (ICAO Doc 8168, Vol 1, Section 4, Table I-4-1-2).
The following ICAO table indicates the specified range of handling speeds (IAS in Knots) for each category of aircraft to perform the maneuvers specified. These speed ranges have been assumed for use in calculating airspace and obstacle clearance for each procedure.
''V
AT —Speed at threshold based on 1.3 times stall speed in the landing configuration at maximum certificated landing mass.''
'*' Maximum speed for reversal and racetrack procedures.
Category E contains only certain Military Aircraft and is usually not included on commercial aeronautical charts.
Examples
See also
*
Aircraft category
Pilot licensing or certification refers to permits for operating aircraft. Flight crew licences are regulated by ICAO Annex 1 and issued by the civil aviation authority of each country. CAA’s have to establish that the holder has met a specifi ...
References
External links
FAA Aircraft and Runway ClassificationICAO Annex 14 "Aerodromes" Vol. IInternational Virtual Aviation Organisation* Eurocontrol standar
ADEXP 3.1
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aircraft Approach Category
Aircraft operations