06/18/2026
✈️ IFR Approach Categories — What Every Pilot Should Know
When flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), not all approaches are the same. Aircraft are grouped into **approach categories** based on their speed on final approach—because speed changes everything in landing safety and spacing.
Here’s the breakdown:
🟢 Category A: 90 knots or less
🟡 Category B: 91–120 knots
🟠 Category C: 121–140 knots
🔴 Category D: 141–165 knots
🔵 Category E: 166 knots and above
Each category determines important things like:
📍 Minimum descent profiles
📍 Approach speeds
📍 Required runway length margins
📍 Separation standards
💡 Did You Know?
A faster aircraft (like Category D) may need nearly **double the landing planning distance** compared to a Category A aircraft—even at the same airport!
👇 What do you think is more challenging: flying a slow stable approach or managing a high-speed Category D approach?
✈️ IFR Approach Categories — What Every Pilot Should Know
When flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), not all approaches are the same. Aircraft are grouped into **approach categories** based on their speed on final approach—because speed changes everything in landing safety and spacing.
Here’s the breakdown:
🟢 Category A: 90 knots or less
🟡 Category B: 91–120 knots
🟠 Category C: 121–140 knots
🔴 Category D: 141–165 knots
🔵 Category E: 166 knots and above
Each category determines important things like:
📍 Minimum descent profiles
📍 Approach speeds
📍 Required runway length margins
📍 Separation standards
💡 Did You Know?
A faster aircraft (like Category D) may need nearly **double the landing planning distance** compared to a Category A aircraft—even at the same airport!
👇 What do you think is more challenging: flying a slow stable approach or managing a high-speed Category D approach?
