Page 20 - Volume 14 Issue 3

AVIATION ISSUES
Recent AIM Revisions Published and Recommendations Given to Streamline LOA for
Part 91 Operators
FAA Publishes AIM Revisions
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is encouraging pilots to review the recent published revisions to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). The revisions include clarifications of “approach category” and its application in determining the appropriate straight-in or circling minima on an instrument approach.
Previous AIM language required pilots to use the next higher approach category if it was necessary to maneuver at a speed above the upper limits of the aircraft’s defined approach category. The revised language advises a pilot is never required to use the next higher approach category and clarifies an aircraft is certified to one approach category.
This revision comes in part due to industry work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in response to many approaches published with CAT C minima and CAT D depicted as “NA” (Not Authorized) often a result of FAA airport design standards or upon request from
18 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
by Kim Blonigen
the airport operator. This essentially prohibited CAT C airplanes from flying straight-in approaches or conduct the circling maneuver at a speed above the CAT C speed limit of 140 knots.
The revised AIM language also provides guidance for pilots regarding responsibilities and recommended actions in flying these approaches, including using either the minima corresponding to the category determined by certification or minima associated with a higher category. However, the AIM cautions, “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 higher category should be used.”
Another important revision is a reminder that operations below the minimum decision altitude or decision altitude/decision height require the runway environment be in sight and the aircraft be continuously positioned so that a landing on the intended runway can be made using a normal rate of descent and normal maneuvers.
MARCH 2020