I've been away from this newsgroup for quite some time, so forgive me if
this has already been covered.

The other day, one of my colleagues pointed out something I hadn't noticed
in the latest set of approach plates, which came out at the end of December.
Its on page A2, under "Aircraft Approach Categories."

Previously, the paragraph included a sentence "...If it is necessary to
MANEUVER 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." Thus, if landing straight-in, one would use the approach speed based
on VREF or 1.3 VSO to determine which category to use, and only move up to a
higher category if -circling- for landing.

Now, the sentence reads, "...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." And there is also a
new example, "...a Category A airplane which is operating at 130 knots on a
straight-in approach shall use the approach Category C minimums."

This is going to change things...now all my students who like to fly
approaches over 90 kts in their Archers will be moving up to Category
B...whether it's circling or straight-in. Did anyone else miss this? I feel
kinda sheepish for not realizing it for a whole month.

-Eric
CFII, MEI