What procedure should a pilot follow when circling to land in a Category B airplane but flying 5 knots faster than the maximum specified speed?

When a pilot is flying a Category B airplane but is operating 5 knots faster than the maximum specified speed, the appropriate procedure is to use the approach minimums associated with a Category C aircraft. This is due to the fact that the aircraft's approach speed exceeds the threshold defined for Category B operations, effectively placing it in a higher performance bracket.

Each category of aircraft, defined by the FAA, is based on approach speed, which affects decision-making during maneuvers like circling to land. Category C encompasses aircraft with a higher approach speed, which accounts for different required standards for visibility and minima. Thus, when exceeding the speed of Category B, a pilot must adhere to the more stringent standards of Category C to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Using the approach minimums for Category A or B would not be appropriate since the operational speed exceeds the parameters for those categories and does not ensure safe maneuverability under those standards. Likewise, aborting the approach might be considered a prudent action under certain circumstances, but in this scenario, following the correct minimums for the category based on speed is the required course of action.