---
title: "CAT.OP.MPA.320 Aeroplane categories — Part-CAT · Avioverse"
description: "Aeroplane categories shall be based on the indicated airspeed at threshold (VAT) which is equal to the stalling speed (VSO) multiplied by 1,3 or one-g…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-cat/subpart-b/cat-op-mpa-320"
---

# CAT.OP.MPA.320 Aeroplane categories

ANNEX IV (Part-CAT) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IR Implementing rule

## CAT.OP.MPA.320 Aeroplane categories

(a) [Aeroplane](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aeroplane) categories shall be based on the indicated airspeed at threshold (VAT) which is equal to the stalling speed (VSO) multiplied by 1,3 or one-g (gravity) stall speed (VS1g) multiplied by 1,23 in the landing configuration at the maximum certified landing mass. If both VSO and VS1g are available, the higher resulting VAT shall be used.

(b) The aeroplane categories specified in the table below shall be used.

Table 1: Aeroplane categories corresponding to VAT values

| Aeroplane category | VAT                |
| ------------------ | ------------------ |
| A                  | Less than 91 kt    |
| B                  | From 91 to 120 kt  |
| C                  | From 121 to 140 kt |
| D                  | From 141 to 165 kt |
| E                  | From 166 to 210 kt |

(c) The landing configuration that is to be taken into consideration shall be specified in the operations manual.

(d) The operator may apply a lower landing mass for determining the VAT if approved by the competent authority. Such a lower landing mass shall be a permanent value, independent of the changing conditions of day-to-day operations.

IR · CAT.OP.MPA.320 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2019/1384 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART B: OPERATING PROCEDURES](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-cat/subpart-b)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.