Airplane Categories

[flyerBoy]

Ok, Its about time I ask.
After looking at some approach charts, i see Category A,B,C,D. What does this mean? According to a approach chart i have, the Cat A and B planes have a longer time to turn around then the C and D. What is a CAT II Autoland or whatever. Please this is making me go crazy :D

Thanks

[Jeff S KDTW]

Aircraft approach category means a grouping of aircraft based on a speed of VREF, if specified, or if VREF not specified, 1.3 VSO at the maximum certificated landing weight. VREF, VSO, and the maximum certificated landing weight are those values as established for the aircraft by the certification authority of the country of registry. Helicopters are Category A aircraft. An aircraft shall fit in only one category. However, 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 category for that speed shall be used. For example, an airplane which fits into Category B, but is circling to land at a speed of 145 knots, shall 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 shall use the approach Category C minimums. 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-
VREF is the reference landing approach speed, usually about
1.3 times VSO plus 50 percent of the wind gust speed in excess of the mean wind speed (See 14 CFR Section 23.73). VSO is the stalling speed or the minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration at maximum weight (See 14 CFR Section 23.49).

AIM 5-4-7 (see link in signature)

[flyerBoy]

Ohh
So the smaller jets ie 737 and a320 fit into Cat c whilst 747 would be cat D? What would then be cat e? Concorde?

[Amtran618]

A 747 circling would probably use cat E mins, maybe even for strait in. A 737 circling above 166 would have to use cat E mins.

[flyinggriffin]

I want to see the Concorde do a circle to land.