Originally Posted by
clunckdriver
For most of the places we fly into, we need to get down to MDA/MAP as soon as we safely can to check that the AIRCAL lights are really working, and for the runway condition along with snowmobiles or critters on the runway, at some places we fly to if we fly a steady rate of descent on the final step down there is very little time to do this, but I doubt that the folks in TC who created this and made it a pass/fail item on a ride ever fly into such locations.
It's been a while but I've done lots of that kind of flying. When the weather was near the published minimums, I can't say there has ever been a time where I have seen the runway any sooner using the dive and drive method vs what I'd have seen using a (much safer) CDA approach. When you get down early, your angle to the runway and the touchdown zone is quite flat and your ability to determine if the runway environment is safe is limited.
The "decision" at minimums is whether or not we have the required visual elements to continue the approach. The decision to go around for other reasons such as lighting problems or obstacles on the runway can (and should) be made any time up until the final commitment to land.