"Jose" wrote in message
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I suppose it's not, really. VFR is a set of rules (altitudes,
visibilities and cloud clearances) designed around that principle, to make
it reasonable to do. You are right, they cannot technically both be
followed at the same time.


Well, they cannot both be followed while on approach, that's why I made the
distinction. But there is one situation where they can be followed
simultaneously. If you're on a VFR-on-top clearance FAR 91.179, an
Instrument Flight Rule, requires compliance with FAR 91.159, a Visual Flight
Rule.



I think what Jim is getting at:

If the weather was as good as you say, there is no prohibition on
operating under IFR and VFR at the same time

is that one can, while remaining on an IFR flight plan, circle to land via
a VFR traffic pattern if the weather would permit ordinary VFR traffic to
do that. He appears to claim (and I find reasonable) that this would not
violate the "circling to the {whatever} prohibited".

I suppose the FAA might differ, which raises the question - when you
maneuver under an IFR flight plan at the end of an approach that is not
straight in, is it always considered "circling" even if the maneuvering is
well above the MDA and within the VFR traffic pattern?

Any cases to support supporting the prohibition?


None that I'm aware of. I don't see how it could become an issue.