CAT II Minimums on a CAT I Approach

Yes, a recent edition of IFR Magazine covered this topic. It was news to
me as well.

Basically you can apply for Cat II authorization at Cat II runways with
'standard' avionics equipment (i.e. your normal GA spamcan) and a waiver
for Cat II authorization on Cat I approaches. FAR 91.193 is the reg that
states the FAA may grant authorization to 'small aircraft' for deviation
from 91.189, 91.191, and 91.205(f).

The authorization and/or waiver only applies to a certain pilot in a
certain aircraft. There are some slightly different currency
requirements, and gaining the authorization/waiver requires a flight
check in the specific aircraft for which the authorization/waiver is
sought.

The flight check is done with a fed onboard and uses the instrument
rating PTS, but always includes at least a two-engine ILS to Cat II
minimums and a single-engine ILS with a single-engine missed approach.

I find the whole thing quite intriguing, really.

-Ryan
CFI/MEI/CFI-H

Giwi wrote:

I've heard that some pilots have the authority to descend to CAT II
minimums (RA100) on CAT I intstrument approaches. If this is true,
then how is the CAT I approach altered? Is the DH simply lowered?
Seems like this would result in steeper approach angles to make it
work out right. Alternately it seems possible that the DH is lowered
farther along the inbound course...but wouldn't this make it more
difficult to transition out of the cockppit and land?