Tim J wrote:



The bottom line is the approach is the approach - I don't think it is
intended as a "suggestion." - why stay above the heights? Wouldn't you
rather get down as fast as possible than be in the clouds? The altitudes on
the approach chart guarantee more than reasonable obstacle clearance - not
performing the approach as published would also lead me to wonder if there
are other things you would make up your own procedures for and as a DE I
would consider that a bad thing...

Another "bottom line" is that the stepdown altitude in a NPA profile is a
*minimum* altitude.

If you think in terms of getting down to a stepdown to "get out of the clouds"
that is a good way to find granite or trees instead of water vapor. This is not
just my view; the industry/government accident stats are replete.