aircraft approach category quandary

In article ,
John R. Copeland wrote:
(b) Aircraft approach category means a grouping of aircraft based on a
speed of VREF, if specified, or if VREF is not specified, 1.3 VS0 at the

Continuing beyond what Ron quoted, here's more...
"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."

I never understood why they bothered to specify a "book" speed for
approach category when the real rule is that it's based on the speed
that you fly during the approach.

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

"Ben Jackson" wrote in message =
news:YL5xd.284746$R05.189455@attbi_s53...
=20
I never understood why they bothered to specify a "book" speed for
approach category when the real rule is that it's based on the speed
that you fly during the approach.
=20
--=20
Ben Jackson

The reason is based in aerodynamics.
1.3 Vs0 is an acceptable approximation to the point of maximum
lift/drag ratio of fixed-wing airfoils on typical small =
general-aviation aircraft.
That makes it a reasonable target for threshold-crossing speed.

In article ,
John R. Copeland wrote:
The reason is based in aerodynamics.
1.3 Vs0 is an acceptable approximation to the point of maximum
lift/drag ratio of fixed-wing airfoils on typical small
general-aviation aircraft.
That makes it a reasonable target for threshold-crossing speed.

Sure, but the rule doesn't need a number, much less a formula. The rule
is effectively "approach class is based on the speed you fly the approach".

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 02:33:28 GMT, (Ben Jackson) wrote:

I never understood why they bothered to specify a "book" speed for
approach category when the real rule is that it's based on the speed
that you fly during the approach.

At one time, the bump in approach category based on speed flying the
approach only applied to circling approaches.


--ron