Challenger 350
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Procedure
While on approach to ASE ATC said to line up with runway earlier than usual and cleared for visual. The conditions were unlimited visibility and clear skies. Since I cut the corner I began a slow descent. Because the earlier turn; we received a TWAS warning. We had all terrain in sight and were clear of all terrain. I was slow to disengage the autopilot and respond to the warning; thus receiving another warning. Once clear of all obstacles; we continued to the airport; without incident.I believe if we hadn't accepted the straight in clearance and should have kept with our original plan and descended via the published LOC-DME altitudes; we would not have been in this situation. We agreed that going around would be far more dangerous with the terrain around us. Upon landing we talked about it and decided we should have gone around and attempted another approach.
First Officer reported not disconnecting autopilot soon enough in the approach; resulting in a TWAS warning.