PPRuNe Forums - Seneca III approach question

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Seneca III approach question

Hi all
Quick question as the seneca III has an approach speed for normal landings of 90kts in terms of approach speed class for ifr minimums is it classified as class A <90kts or class B 91-120?

For IFR Approach category, the relevant speed is 1,3 x Vs0 (stall speed in landing configuration). If you don't want to calculate it yourself, you should probably look at short field approach speed - which shouldn't be more than 1,3 x Vs0 anyway.

many years ago similar questions were asked.

the plane is only in ONE catagory based on its speed

BUT IF YOU CHOOSE TO CIRCLE AT A HIGHER SPEED THEN PRUDENCE DICTATES YOU USE A HIGHER APCH CATAGORY/VISIBILITY

As FlyingStone said the Cat speed is basd on Vs0 X 1.3

The Seneca has a stall speed in the landing config (Vs0) of around 62 knots give or take. I don't have a manual handy.

Lets call it 65 knots to be on the safe side. 65 X 1.3 = 84.5 call it 85 knots.

Therefore it is a Cat A aircraft, i.e. it can be flown at speeds that apply to Cat A aircraft and providing you fly it at those speeds the Cat A approach minima apply.

If you elect to fly at higher speeds than the Cat A speeds then you must apply the higher minima for the appropriate category speeds. One aircraft I fly is Cat A, it is much happier about 5 to 10 knots above the max Cat A approach speed so I fly Cat B minima.