Narrative:

Safety alert! Safety margins are at the absolute minimum when flying an ILS runway 4R circle to runway 13C during strong wind conditions and at circling minimums. On final approach to runway 4R; winds were 170 degrees at 36 KTS. We did not pick up the runway until 1780 ft MSL. In retrospect; I would have requested radar vectors for ILS runway 13C. If the runway will not be in sight by the FAF; I would consider requesting radar vectors for ILS to the landing runway. Safety alert for all mdw pilots flying circling minimums for ILS runway 4R circle to runway 13C.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ACFT ARRIVING MDW ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE ILS RWY 4R CIRCLE-TO-LAND 13C WITH GUSTING WINDS DURING NIGHTTIME OPERATIONS.

Narrative: SAFETY ALERT! SAFETY MARGINS ARE AT THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM WHEN FLYING AN ILS RWY 4R CIRCLE TO RWY 13C DURING STRONG WIND CONDITIONS AND AT CIRCLING MINIMUMS. ON FINAL APCH TO RWY 4R; WINDS WERE 170 DEGS AT 36 KTS. WE DID NOT PICK UP THE RWY UNTIL 1780 FT MSL. IN RETROSPECT; I WOULD HAVE REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS FOR ILS RWY 13C. IF THE RWY WILL NOT BE IN SIGHT BY THE FAF; I WOULD CONSIDER REQUESTING RADAR VECTORS FOR ILS TO THE LNDG RWY. SAFETY ALERT FOR ALL MDW PLTS FLYING CIRCLING MINIMUMS FOR ILS RWY 4R CIRCLE TO RWY 13C.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 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.