Zena: The requirement is 800m visibility on the ground at the airfield. Not in flight. Where I fly, fog is often very local, and with mountaintops some 5000' above the fog navigation with reference to the ground is usually easy.

I have discussed this again with one far more experienced than I, and it is deffinately OK. For 2daddies, what possible benefit in converting to a visual approach at 2.66 miles from the field? Aussie rules always been different .. no?

Zena,
The benefit of remaining at MSA/LSALT until within the circling area is to my mind one which far outweighs the risks of going below it 10nm from the field - you don't tend to hit anything.

In Australia they only survey terrain within the circling area (out to 6.94nm for Cat E) to ensure obstacle clearance. Personally I'd be happy to descend to 1000 feet at night 30nm from some of the airports I fly to, but I won't for two reasons:
1) It's illegal
2) I THINK I know the area like the back of my hand, but I really don't want a single power line or un-noticed hill to prove my knowledge invalid.

I don't know how far from an airfield the JAA surveys but ultimately it comes down to insurance and discretion - why go low if you don't have to?

As far as aircraft performance goes, if you set yourself up early enough, descending to circuit height from the MSA/LSALT and completing a circuit within 2.66nm is no drama whatsoever.

Well, if the MSA is 7500', you are in for a pretty steep approach...

And in addition: A visual approach according to JAA rules is not a matter of diving down to 1000' at 30NM, and flying along just hoping that you won't crash into a mountainside. Normally you just follow a 3 degree slope (3xALT) towards the airfield, making the final turn at around 1000-1500' AGL and making a normal landing. With the field and terrain in sight at all times.

Easy peasy japanesie. :)

And it's not illegal according to JAA rules!

Why are the rules so strict in Australia?

Nick.... I think it is because they really have their act together on flight into terrain.
Anyway what do the accident records show?
Cheers mate.

in flight vis <> RVR.