FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Navigation, Air Traffic Control and ProceduresHard
A widebody jet is normally classified as Category D for circling approach purposes based on its maximum certificated landing weight, but on a particular flight it is landing very light and the pilot chooses to fly the approach at a slower airspeed. For circling minimums on this approach, which category should the pilot use?
- ACategory C, because circling minimums are always based on the actual airspeed flown on that flight
- BCategory D, because circling category is based on maximum certificated landing weight, not the actual approach speed flown
- CCategory A, because flying slower always produces the most conservative, safest minimums
- DThe pilot may select any category, provided landing distance available is sufficient
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Category D, because circling category is based on maximum certificated landing weight, not the actual approach speed flown
Circling approach category is normally determined by 1.3 Vso at the aircraft's maximum certificated landing weight, and a pilot cannot use a lower (faster-speed) category's minimums simply by flying slower unless specifically authorized by the certificate holder's operations specifications.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Circling category isn't automatically reduced by flying slower without specific operator authorization.
- C. Choosing the lowest category regardless of aircraft performance would violate approach category rules.
- D. Category selection is regulated, not left to arbitrary pilot choice based on landing distance alone.
Circling Approach Category
The speed category used for circling minimums is determined by 1.3 times the stall speed (Vso) at maximum certificated landing weight, not by the actual speed flown.
- Category based on 1.3 Vso at max landing weight
- Pilot may fly faster and use higher category minimums
- Cannot use a slower/lower category's minimums without operator authorization
Memory trick: Category is tattooed to the aircraft's weight, not erased by flying slow.