Instrument Landing Categories

Category I

Category I (one) means that when the aircraft has descended to an altitude of 200 feet above the ground, the pilot must be able to see the runway ahead, with a visable range of 2000 feet. Pilots do not have to guess or estimate visual range because it is measured near the runway with an optical instrument called a runway visual range (rvr) detector, and then transmitted to the aircraft on final approach. If the runway is not visable, the pilot will climb back up to altitude and circle around for another approach, or fly to an alternate destination.

Category II

In a Category II instrument approach, the aircraft is allowed to descend to a decision height of 100 feet above the ground. At that altitude the pilot must be able to see ahead with a visual range of about 1500 feet, in order to complete the landing. If the runway is not visable, the pilot climbs back up to altitude and choses to circle and try again, or fly to an alternate destination.

Category III

In a Category III instrument approach, the aircraft can descend down to ground level and complete the landing, if there is a forward visable range with a minimum of 700 feet.

Preliminary Specifications
Localizer
Glideslope
Range

Severe Weather

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