Gary Drescher wrote:

wrote in message ...

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?

Having the runway environment is sight is one of two requirements. The
other is being in a position to make a normal descent for a normal
landing.


You're citing the rules for descending below an MDA or DA. But the question
is about descending below an intermediate fix.

A fix is a location defined by a point on the ground. Why would you
want to descend underground in an airplane? :-)


Matt