Are category speeds based off of 1.3Vso or are they based off of the speed you will actually be flying the approach? I've heard both and keep getting conflicting information. The 182 should be category A but on some non-precision approaches or if not using 10degree flaps, I might bump up to B. Just dont want the examiner to give me a hard time for using A minimums if I acutally am B. Thanks,

Also, anyone know how to enter a localizer into a Garmin 300xl for DME usage? Still cannot figure it out. Not in manual either. After clicking WPT button, it gives me APT, VOR, INT, NDB, USER. Ive tried enter the localizer ident in each category with no luck.

The speed is based on how fast you will be flying the approach. You should be flying the approach at category A. I was taught to fly each approach at 90 knots (piper arrow) so that there's on less thing to think about . An approach in a 182 should probably be the same.

Ok thanks for the insight. How did you like the Arrow? Im flying one tomorrow. First retractable/plane other than the 182 ive flown.

yup, based on actual speed. And if anybody asks you can be one category for a straight in approach and a higher category for circling approaches due to the higher speed while in the turn.

An AIM reference to this is paragraph 5-4-7a. Vref or (or 1.3 Vso if Vref is not specified) is used to determine the lowest category possible for an aircraft. If it is necessary to fly a speed in a higher category then the higher category minimums must be used. I'd quote it, but I'm on the IPad and haven't figured that out yet.

Brett

The Arrow is a fine plane, good room inside for what it is. Not as fast as say, a mooney but was never meant to be. It's a good comfortable x/c plane. The one I fly when I rent it is a 200 hp, 3-bladed prop 1973 model in 70's red, orange and white colors. Sporty . I took my IFR checkride in the Archer though, fixed gear and prop, no complex stuff to worry about when you do your "gumps" check, just a few more things off the list on an already complicated check ride.

I don't know specifically about the 300xl, but most ILS approaches have a fix associated with the transmitter that is usually a four letter identifier. If that is in your system, that gives you the DME. For example the ILS RWY 16 at KRNO has IRNO as the ILS identifier which is in the G1000 and 430/530.