Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 395
Training / Qualification; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Procedure; Weather; Airport; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
This is a general report (no specific incident) related to RNAV (GPS) Z Runway 22L MDW. I flew this approach in visual conditions but as if we were IMC to see what this is going to look like when I have to do it in IMC. I apologize in advance for yelling with capital letters! HOW IS THIS APPROACH LEGAL?Given all the changes in our procedures over the last several years to improve the safety of our operation (specifically; but not limited to stabilized approaches); how did this approach pass muster for Company operations? The MDA is 1;020 MSL. DA would then be 1;070 MSL. That is 464 AGL and 11 degrees offset from the runway for making a decision to land. I flew this day VMC and was [not] wings level [until] below 300 AGL. Also; [at] the decision point; I do not believe the VASI was visible. If it was; I did not notice it until lined up with the runway.Given our stabilized approach criteria; this is not a safe approach and is setting us up for failure. Picture this: 737-800; maximum performance landing; weather at minimums; wings [not] level [until] below 300 FT at the end of a long day. Can you say tail strike? or worse? Again; from a safety system perspective; this approach is dangerous and is setting us up for failure. I challenge each of you to fly this approach and with a straight face explain how it is safe. Personally; yes I can fly it and make a decision as to whether I can land safely or not. Professionally; there is too much inherent risk in this approach and I will not fly it near minimums. This is a safety systems failure. Money over safety is very clear in the approval of this approach procedure.[We should] revisit this approach procedure [and require] higher minimums and/or less offset from centerline.
A B737NG Captain expressed concern that the RNAV (GPS) Z Runway 22L approach compromises the flight crew's ability to conduct a safe; stabilized approach; especially under adverse conditions.