Further info...
It is all becoming pretty clear now.
Kaptin M - sorry, but the book says that IFR and VFR can do a VSA at night. And a DME arrival is a step down procedure based on DME distances from the field established in published quadrants.
Keg - thanks for the response. I don't like to 'put the boot in' to companies in general - the individuals concered, yes, but they are not the whole company. BTW the event was a B763 ariving RWY11 at YPDN from the west, so no need for base and downwind legs.
Coral - you are correct with your quotes and I am glad that I am reading it correctly. What you say about companies' SOPs not allowing DME step down as part of the VSA procedure interests me. I thought by the way the pilot was speaking it sounded like a company thing, and now I am sure. This situation of ATC and the books quite rightly saying one thing, and company SOPs saying another is obviously confusing everyone. I hope this individual concered does go to the company and finds out the discrepancy. What do you think the reaction will be?
Capn Bloggs - couldn't agree with you more.
Looking forward to some more interesting inputs
Cheers,
NFR