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Aircraft Approach Category
AIRCRAFT APPROACH CATEGORY:
ICAO: 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.
Aircraft Category
VAT
Range of Speeds for Initial Approach
Range of Final Approach Speeds
Max Speeds for Visual Maneuvering (Circling)
Max speeds for Missed Approach
Intermediate
Final
A
Less Than 91
90/150 (110*)
70/100
100
100
110
B
91/120
120/180 (140*)
85/130
135
130
150
C
121/140
160/240
115/160
180
160
240
D
141/165
185/250
130/185
205
185
265
E
166/210
185/250
115/230
240
230
275
VAT - 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 not included on all approach charts.
USA: A grouping of aircraft based on a speed of Vref, if specified, or if Vref is not specified, 1.3 VS0 at the maximum certificated landing weight. Vref , VS0 , and the maximum certificated landing weight are those values as 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 91 knots, should use the approach Category B minimums when circling to land. The categories are as follows:
CategoryA Speed less than 91 knots.
Category B Speed 91 knots or more but less than 121 knots.
Category C Speed 121 knots or more but less than 141 knots.
Category D Speed 141 knots or more but less than 166 knots.
Category E Speed 166 knots or more.
source: ICAO Aviation Chart Glossary
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