My experience of ACE whilst sunning my fur, is that the visual approach is the favoured method of arrival, overhead the airport followed by a visual approach. The view of the final approach at Matagorda is superb, if only it was not so windy! Maybe the flight deck crew are getting lazy after a 4 hour flight from Europe?
I guess the chances of getting a visual approach at busier TFS and LPA are much reduced. I also thought that most flights arriving at FUE requested a visual approach subject to weather/cloud base?
bluefalcon, a lovely part of the world with a brilliant climate, you should try living at Whipsnade Zoo!