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AIM

4/20/23

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Arrival Procedures

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7. Instrument Approach Procedures

a.

Aircraft approach category means a grouping of aircraft based on a speed of V

REF

 at the maximum certified

landing weight, if specified, or if V

REF

 is not specified, 1.3

VSO

 at the maximum certified landing weight. V

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,

V

SO

, and the maximum certified landing weight are those values as established for the aircraft by the certification

authority of the country of registry. A pilot must maneuver the aircraft within the circling approach protected
area (see FIG 5

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27) to achieve the obstacle and terrain clearances provided by procedure design criteria.

b.

In addition to pilot techniques for maneuvering, one acceptable method to reduce the risk of flying out of

the circling approach protected area is to use either the minima corresponding to the category determined during
certification or minima associated with a higher category. Helicopters may use Category A minima. If it is
necessary to operate at a speed in excess of the upper limit of the speed range for an aircraft’s category, the
minimums for the higher category should be used. This may occur with certain aircraft types operating in
heavy/gusty wind, icing, or non

normal conditions. For example, an airplane which fits into Category B, but is

circling to land at a speed of 145 knots, should use the approach Category D minimums. As an additional
example, a Category A airplane (or helicopter) which is operating at 130 knots on a straight

in approach should

use the approach Category C minimums.

c.

A pilot who chooses an alternative method when it is necessary to maneuver at a speed that exceeds the

category speed limit (for example, where higher category minimums are not published) should consider the
following factors that can significantly affect the actual ground track flown:

1.

Bank angle. For example, at 165 knots groundspeed, the radius of turn increases from 4,194 feet using

30 degrees of bank to 6,654 feet when using 20 degrees of bank. When using a shallower bank angle, it may be
necessary to modify the flightpath or indicated airspeed to remain within the circling approach protected area.
Pilots should be aware that excessive bank angle can lead to a loss of aircraft control.

2.

Indicated airspeed. Procedure design criteria typically utilize the highest speed for a particular category.

If a pilot chooses to operate at a higher speed, other factors should be modified to ensure that the aircraft remains
within the circling approach protected area.

3.

Wind speed and direction. For example, it is not uncommon to maneuver the aircraft to a downwind leg

where the groundspeed will be considerably higher than the indicated airspeed. Pilots must carefully plan the
initiation of all turns to ensure that the aircraft remains within the circling approach protected area.

4.

Pilot technique. Pilots frequently have many options with regard to flightpath when conducting circling

approaches. Sound planning and judgment are vital to proper execution. The lateral and vertical path to be flown
should be carefully considered using current weather and terrain information to ensure that the aircraft remains
within the circling approach protected area.

d.

It is important to remember that 14 CFR Section 91.175(c) requires that “where a DA/DH or MDA is

applicable, no pilot may operate an aircraft below the authorized MDA or continue an approach below the
authorized DA/DH unless the aircraft is continuously in a position from which a descent to a landing on the
intended runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal maneuvers, and for operations conducted
under Part 121 or Part 135 unless that descent rate will allow touchdown to occur within the touchdown zone
of the runway of intended landing.”

e.

See the following category limits:

1.

Category A: Speed less than 91 knots.

2.

Category B: Speed 91 knots or more but less than 121 knots.

3.

Category C: Speed 121 knots or more but less than 141 knots.

4.

Category D: Speed 141 knots or more but less than 166 knots.

5.

Category E: Speed 166 knots or more.

NOTE

V

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 in the above definition refers to the speed used in establishing the approved landing distance under the airworthiness