Approach with no MSA

Chief Captain said:
I had a look at this plate today and noticed that no MSA was published. What gives? I thought that all approaches would have a published MSA. What altitude could legally / practically be used instead of the MSA in this case?

http://airnav.com/depart?http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/1104/06210IL9.PDF
Click to expand...

I wonder if it's because it's a radar required approach so if you did lose an engine, ATC would advise you of an altitude. Not sure though. I was trying to look it up in the FAR/AIM but I could not find it. There is probably something hidden there that says "if no MSA is published then..."

Though other radar required approaches have MSA's.

I would love to hear the answer!

-Matt
 
Here's what I found in Chapter 8 of the Instrument Flying Handbook:

The MSA circle appears in the plan view, except in approaches
for which the Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) format is used or
appropriate NAVAIDs (e.g., VOR or NDB)
are unavailable.

Since this approach doesn't have a VOR or NDB, I'm guessing that's why it doesn't have a MSA.

Good find though! I like these tough instrument questions we've been having lately!
 
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