IAP Question on VOR/DME
 

Gents,
If flying the 22L VOR/DME approach into JFK and have the landing runway visual, at what point of the approach procedure are you able to man. the aircraft to pick up the extended centerline ?
Ie. say your 7 track nm or 3 track nm from the threshold and the weathers above the min required and thresholds insight.

Cheers
Any references would be appreciated.

The final approach course is aligned close enough to the runway (10 degrees) that it's considered a straightin approach, and is published with straight in minimums, as well as circling minimums. Obstacle clearance is predicated upon maintaining the course as published, and there's really no need to leave the publishe course seven miles out to pick up the extended centerline. By the time you get in close, within a few miles, only a very small sidestep is needed to join the runway aligment. If you're close and you can see it, and you're cleared to land, line up, and land.

I agree with Guppy, no more than about 3nm out should be fine. I do this approach a lot, being JFK-based.