Pilot/Controller Glossary

AIRCRAFT APPROACH CATEGORY

This reproduces published FAA reference text for study. It does not replace the current official FAA publication or regulation.

A grouping of aircraft based on a speed of 1.3 times the stall speed in the landing configuration at maximum gross landing weight. An aircraft must 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 category for that speed must be used. For example, an aircraft which falls in Category A, but is circling to land at a speed in excess of 91 knots, must use the approach Category B minimums when circling to land. The categories are as follows:

Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 18, 2026.