FAR 91.193 — Category II Authorization
FAR 91.193 lets the FAA issue a Certificate of Authorization waiving certain Category II rules for small Category A aircraft, with limits on commercial use.
FAR 91.193 gives the FAA Administrator the authority to issue a Certificate of Authorization that allows pilots of certain small aircraft to deviate from some of the standard Category II operating rules. Specifically, this certificate can waive the requirements of:
- § 91.189 — Category II and III operations: general operating rules
- § 91.191 — Category II manual
- § 91.205(f) — instruments and equipment required for Category II operations
To qualify, the aircraft must be a small aircraft classified as a Category A aircraft under § 97.3 (generally, slower approach-speed aircraft used on instrument approaches). The Administrator must also find that the proposed operation can be conducted safely under the terms of the authorization.
Importantly, this authorization is for non-commercial use only — it does not permit carrying persons or property for compensation or hire. Operationally, this matters because it gives owner-operators of small aircraft a path to fly low-visibility Category II approaches without meeting the full equipment and manual requirements that airline-style operators must satisfy.