I get the impression that there may be a touch of confusion arising from the dual discussions of "dive & drive" Vs. "continuous descent" and MDA Vs. DA.
Legally (no matter how you get down to the minima) an MDA is an absolute floor - it MUST NOT be descended below until all criteria for a visual approach/ circling and landing are met, while a DA is just that - an altitude at which a decision MUST be made. Allowances are made for descending below that altitude if the approach is discontinued.
These rules are incontrovertable.
411A, after reading some of your ensuing posts I'm beginning to see your point a little more clearly and I do agree with it to a certain extent - the longest amount of time spent at the minima does give you the best chance of becoming visual and executing a successful landing. But bearing in mind that legally you must remain at the MDA (or above) until both visual AND established inside the circling area, I still fail to see the point of diving to that minima miles from the airport. Why not just create a constant descent to place you at the correct altitude coincident with the circling area (to be maintained until the MAPT)?
fms146, 411A and I clearly do come from different schools on the issue, but I'd like to think that if we worked for the same airline we'd adopt and practice the same procedure - the one which the airline determines for us. Individuality is an asset at certain times, but not when trying to conduct a single-engine non-precision circling approach to an airfield in marginal conditions!
P.S - fms, you flatter me! I'm actually nothing more than an humble FO with strong opinions on the topic, so I can sympathise with you about flying with Captains who like to run to their own rules. Thankfully, there aren't many where I work now!
