Circle to land question

Dave Butler wrote in news:1116264343.869268@sj-nntpcache-5:

Ron Rosenfeld wrote:

If you don't have the runway in sight prior to the MDA, you may NOT
be able to make a successful landing using normal maneuvers (a
requirement to operate below the MDA).

I'm sure Gene understands what you are saying, but for my benefit,
could you elaborate a little on this statement? Why is this true?

Cloud bases are seldom perfectly level. They are lower in some places
than in others. If you get the airport in sight right at MDA, then it's
likely that there will be areas where the cloud bases will be below MDA,
and you'll probably fly through them as you circle.

--
Regards,

Stan

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." B. Franklin

Stan Gosnell wrote:
Dave Butler wrote in news:1116264343.869268@sj-nntpcache-5:


Ron Rosenfeld wrote:


If you don't have the runway in sight prior to the MDA, you may NOT
be able to make a successful landing using normal maneuvers (a
requirement to operate below the MDA).

I'm sure Gene understands what you are saying, but for my benefit,
could you elaborate a little on this statement? Why is this true?


Cloud bases are seldom perfectly level. They are lower in some places
than in others. If you get the airport in sight right at MDA, then it's
likely that there will be areas where the cloud bases will be below MDA,
and you'll probably fly through them as you circle.

OK, sure, thanks, but if Ron meant that, wouldn't he have said "...you're likely
to have to go missed... " instead of all that stuff about normal maneuvers? I'd
still like to hear Ron's answer.

Dave

Stan Gosnell wrote:
Cloud bases are seldom perfectly level. They are lower in some places
than in others. If you get the airport in sight right at MDA, then it's
likely that there will be areas where the cloud bases will be below MDA,
and you'll probably fly through them as you circle.

Clouds can do some weird **** (especially near bodies of water). I
once flew into UUU (Newport, RI) for a practice approach. The plan
was a low approach and go missed. The airport is near the coastline,
and the approach is from over land towards the water. Inbound to the
airport, I was in decent visibility and little bits of scattered scud
here and there. What I didn't realize was that there was a low
overcast layer on the water side, that ended just about at the
airport.

I reached the MAP, had a perfect view of the runway, started my climb,
and almost immediately found myself in solid IMC. Had I been doing a
circling approach, I could have easily found myself suddenly in cloud
while circling below the MDA.