Anyone done a SOIA for real?
Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach is FAA/NASA's misguided answer to the ever-growing problem of IMC approaches to closely-spaced parallel runways (there are more than half a dozen separated by 1000ft or less in the US). Their attitiude is controller-orientated with monitoring based on a souped-up approach radar. The result is the best they can do IFR IS 3400 ft separation, so with a 2000ft cloudbase and starting with the follower of a pair initialy laterally offset from runway centreline the pilot-flying can safely do an S-turn for landing. Since a wholly VFR approach can be done with a cloud base of about 4000ft it seems like a lot of effort for a comparatively little benefit to regularity.
The only real solution is to make the IMC operation similar to that for VMC----- pilot to pilot operated and monitored. Thi requires GPS- generated approach, HUD and ADS-B, the last one of which will be with us soon.