Descent below MDA -- what would you do?

I'm sorry for dragging this thing on but part (a) of the paragraph you
quoted (FAR 91.155) says that if the weather conditions (visibility,
and cloud clearance) are below the prescribed minimums, you cannot
"operate an aircraft under VFR" unless you go Special VFR. The weather
minimums in paragraph 91.155(a) only refer to classes of airspace not
only to those around an airport.

You are correct about FAR 91.155(c,d). However, this rule is in
addition to the other parts of section 91.155.

Since the original poster was on a GPS approach, and most certainly in
controlled airspace, he could have requested a Special VFR clearance
and landed as long as he operated clear of clouds and flight visibility
was greater than 3SM. Even though the airport does not have an
official weather reporting systems, the FARs authorize the pilot to use
his/her own judgment in determining visibility.

"gman" wrote in message
oups.com...

I'm sorry for dragging this thing on but part (a) of the paragraph you
quoted (FAR 91.155) says that if the weather conditions (visibility,
and cloud clearance) are below the prescribed minimums, you cannot
"operate an aircraft under VFR" unless you go Special VFR. The weather
minimums in paragraph 91.155(a) only refer to classes of airspace not
only to those around an airport.

You are correct about FAR 91.155(c,d). However, this rule is in
addition to the other parts of section 91.155.

Since the original poster was on a GPS approach, and most certainly in
controlled airspace, he could have requested a Special VFR clearance
and landed as long as he operated clear of clouds and flight visibility
was greater than 3SM. Even though the airport does not have an
official weather reporting systems, the FARs authorize the pilot to use
his/her own judgment in determining visibility.


Since the original poster told us there was no weather reporting at the
destination airport we can conclude there is no surface area because weather
reporting is required to establish a surface area. Since SVFR exists only
in a surface area we can conclude that SVFR was not available even if he had
requested it.

But FAR 91.155(c) says: "_EXCEPT_ as provided in =A791.157, no person
may operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR within the
lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for
an airport...." That means if you flying under 91.157 (i.e. Special
VFR) you need not comply with 91.155.

"gman" wrote in message
oups.com...

But FAR 91.155(c) says: "_EXCEPT_ as provided in §91.157, no person
may operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR within the
lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for
an airport...." That means if you flying under 91.157 (i.e. Special
VFR) you need not comply with 91.155.


Where can you fly under FAR 91.157?