If you are not making a visual approach, you are making an instrument approach. It is academic where the "landing" commences. Cat 3 autoland rollout may be a landing to all, but it is also part of the approach. Circling in lower weather conditions than required for a visual approach is part of an instrument approach. Lined up on finals with less weather than required for a visual approach is part of an instrument approach. Ditto for touchdown and rollout. It might be a landing but it is still an instrument approach.
Even after touchdown there is still a bit of flying to do. Lower the nose (or tail), aileron into x-wind, rudder to stay on the centreline.
Regulatory definitions are there so that someone in an office can read a FDR or QAR, write a report or determine limitations. Whatever those folks say, if you are following the instrument approach procedure from your Jep or other chart and conducting it in accordance with FOM instrument approach procedures, you are are on an instrument approach. You cannot abandon the procedure or the consideration that it is not a visual approach and landing, without just cause.
Last edited by autoflight; 30th Dec 2012 at 02:11.