Category II pilot authorization requirements

A Category II pilot authorization allows you to conduct precision approaches to lower minimums than standard ILS approaches. To qualify, you need at least a private pilot certificate with instrument rating (or higher), plus appropriate category, class, and type ratings for the aircraft.

Experience requirements include 50 hours night PIC, 75 hours instrument time (with limits on simulator time), and 250 hours cross-country PIC.

You must pass a practical test consisting of oral and flight portions. The oral covers Category II-specific knowledge like decision height recognition, RVR limitations, and system characteristics. The flight portion requires at least two ILS approaches to 100 feet AGL with one landing and one missed approach, using approved flight guidance systems.

If you haven't tested in the past 12 months, you must meet recent ILS currency requirements (six approaches in the last 6 months, with at least three hand-flown). The authorization is aircraft-specific and requires renewal through additional practical tests.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*