2. If shown to be true, that landing in weather that was below minima was, if not SOP, alt least a usual/acceptable/accepted practice at the PAF unit flying VIPs,...
Who shows, that this is true?
The weather-forecasters view:
He looks at his charts, radar and other stuff and has to make a forecast for the next hour or next few hours. That gets puplished as aerea forecast and / or as aerodrome forecast. This forecast is used for flightplanning.
The weather observers view:
He observes the present weather by checking landmarks and using some gadgets. It is the view looking from the ground into the sky, simplified spoken. Thatīs the weather, the pilot receives when checking in with the local ATC or which is published via ATIS.
The pilots view when landing:
He looks out the window from above to the ground. It is influenced not only by the moisture in the air, but also by the background he is looking at. It is also dependent on the lighting system of the aerodrome, like Approach lighing, approach flashers, Runway lighting and so on.
So the forecast may allow the planning to an aerodrome, the weather there on arrival might be worse and according to the numbers unsuitable for landing.
But looking out the window, perfectly lined up on centerline approaching the minimum the pilot might see enough of the airfield environment, enough of the approach lighting or enough of a dark runway in a otherwise snowy landscape, that he can land without problems.
Now fog is even a more special thing. It can come fast, and it can disappear even faster. It can be thick, it can be thin. You canīt see the sky from the ground, but you might see the ground from above.
Why do i tell all this? Because most landings in those weather conditions would be named landing below minimum, and the nonprofessional reader would see it as dangerous and illigal. But if the Pilot flew down to the published minimum, identified the field and landing environment before leaving the published minimum, everything is legal and normal. It happens any day in civil and military world.
So i would not dare to believe, that busting minimus is a procedure of polish pilots with VIPīs on board or any other pilots at all. But if somebody can prove otherwise, go ahead. BTW, rumors are no prove.
franzl