flarepilot;
Re, "So much information, so little wisdom."
I disagree - there is a great deal of wisdom mixed with excellent information and discussion on MDA approaches here from people who clearly know what they're talking about,, (and on the MDA thread).
I disagree too, with making NPA visual approaches, (and I assume you include all RNAV / RNP approaches too?). There are better solutions, especially as discussed in the contributions referenced above.
There aren't "gadgets galore", there are aircraft-specific navigation installations which require training, SOPs and practise as well as good CRM work. What happened at Birmingham is not known here yet. The 30-day interim Report should be out any day now.