"Ron Natalie" writes:

It's a little different here, because MSA is operational -- we have
an altitude we can descend to as soon as we're within 25 nm.

The MSA is for emergency use only. You shouldn't be relying on it
for normal operations.

As I mentioned in the bit you quoted, it's different up north -- in
Canada, MSA *is* operational. If you are cleared for an approach and
not given an explict altitude restriction, you are automatically
allowed to descend to the lowest of the following (see RAC 9.3 in the
Canadian AIP):

(a) MEA

(b) published transition or feeder altitude

(c) MSA

(d) 100 nm safe altitude

(e) if nothing else applies, 1000 ft above the highest obstacle within
5 nm (1500 ft or 2000 ft in mountainous areas)

Typically, when you're being vectored and then are cleared for an
approach before you're inside the protected area, MSA will be the
winner (assuming that you're within 25 nm of the IAF) -- descending to
MSA was a standard part of almost every practice approach during my
IFR training, especially the full-procedure ones.


All the best,


David