A method of characterizing an airborne spacing operation is provided. The method includes determining, using a computer, a spacing tolerance based on a performance objective for the spacing operation, determining, using a computer, a minimum state data level and a minimum speed performance level based on the spacing tolerance, determining, using a computer, an airborne functionality required to meet the performance objective, and providing, using a computer, a required interval management performance (RIMP) category for the airborne spacing operation, the RIMP category specifying the spacing tolerance, the minimum state data level, the minimum speed performance level, and the airborne functionality.