On 3 Jan 2005 23:18:15 -0800, "hsm" wrote:

Can I descent below minimums on an intermediate stepdown segment of an
IFR approach if I have the runway enviroment in sight?
On a very steep approach such as the backcourse loc-A to Santa
Maria,CA, I would like to start descending below 1700 feet prior to
reaching PATER, in order to facilitate a more comfortable decent in
VMC. Legal or do I first need a visual approach clearance?

If you are executing a published IAAP, there is no "visual approach
clearance".

You need 3 things to descend below the MDA (DA),they a (a) runway
environment in sight (b)can descend using normal maneuvers, normal
rates of descent (c) the flight visibility specified in the approach.