Narrative:

Attempted to make instrument approach [the ILS]. Control tower was closed; ZZZ approach was closed. Per [company procedures]; we were required to do an instrument approach and could not accept the visual. [Center] could not give us lower any lower that 6800 at the FAF (zzzzz intersection) which was charted at 4700. We were unable to get a stabilized descent at such a high altitude. We stated we would need another approach. We requested the GPS [approach]; were cleared to ZZZZZ1 intersection at 8000 with no further instructions-this was [at] an intercept angle of 180 degrees to the final approach course. Approximately 4DME prior to reaching ZZZZZ1 intersection; the aircraft started a turn to join the final approach course. We queried ATC as to whether we were cleared for the approach; he seemed to question our position as he was working other multiple approaches and had a [medical] flight inbound to [the airport]. Center advised he had another aircraft approaching for [the runway] and vectored us around to join the approach again for GPS. We proceeded back to ZZZZZ1 intersection; center cleared us to cross ZZZZZ1 intersection at 8000 and cleared us for the approach. We ensured the aircraft crossed ZZZZZ1 intersection properly and made a stabilized approach and landed without incident. The controller suggested we file an as soon as possible to encourage approach to stay open later which would have allowed clearance to the labeled altitudes on the approaches.have approach open later and able to give standard (lower) altitudes as listed on approaches (or) allow [company aircraft] to accept the visual at ZZZ when the tower is closed since center can not clear low enough to get a stabilized approach.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-700 Captain reported challenges when flying an approach into airports at night as their company does not allow visual approaches at night with no operating Control Tower.

Narrative: Attempted to make instrument approach [the ILS]. Control tower was closed; ZZZ approach was closed. Per [company procedures]; we were required to do an instrument approach and could not accept the visual. [Center] could not give us lower any lower that 6800 at the FAF (ZZZZZ Intersection) which was charted at 4700. We were unable to get a stabilized descent at such a high altitude. We stated we would need another approach. We requested the GPS [approach]; were cleared to ZZZZZ1 Intersection at 8000 with no further instructions-this was [at] an intercept angle of 180 degrees to the final approach course. Approximately 4DME prior to reaching ZZZZZ1 Intersection; the aircraft started a turn to join the final approach course. We queried ATC as to whether we were cleared for the approach; he seemed to question our position as he was working other multiple approaches and had a [medical] flight inbound to [the airport]. Center advised he had another aircraft approaching for [the runway] and vectored us around to join the approach again for GPS. We proceeded back to ZZZZZ1 Intersection; Center cleared us to cross ZZZZZ1 Intersection at 8000 and cleared us for the approach. We ensured the aircraft crossed ZZZZZ1 Intersection properly and made a stabilized approach and landed without incident. The controller suggested we file an ASAP to encourage approach to stay open later which would have allowed clearance to the labeled altitudes on the approaches.Have approach open later and able to give standard (lower) altitudes as listed on approaches (or) allow [Company aircraft] to accept the visual at ZZZ when the tower is closed since Center can not clear low enough to get a stabilized approach.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.