I believe circling approaches are entirely inappropriate for medium to large aircraft, even modern ones with Map etc which does help SA. In particular, I believe circling approaches at night belong to the lunatic fringe of aviation and should not be allowed by ICAO. That's not what the fare-paying public expects in terms of safe transportation.
Well, I must be one of those lunatics! Certain Airports only have Circling approaches due to terrain eg Funchal, Madeira. The excellent training that I've received to carry out these approaches by both day & NIGHT in limiting weather conditions into Funchal leaves me in no doubt whatsover as to the safety of this type of approach. Also it's the best flying I've done in years
