Originally Posted by Lord Flashheart
I agree Mike that descending is better than a possible mid air. I believe that if flying IFR the MSA is 2,000ft above highest point
MSA always give 1000' obstruction clearance on top of the highest obstacle within the 25 nm radius around the approach reference navaid.
So, if you know the terrain configuration around your destination airport, you might feel safer to descend 500' rather than risk a mid-air.
But, if you are with approach, they may have given you some traffic information that helps understand the picture...
Beware that the 2000' clearance is not for MSA, but for MOCA in designated mountainous area.
In non-mountainous area MOCA clearance is also 1000' over highest obstacle in the 8nm corridor centered on the airway
(+ the angular mid-way protection area + progressive clearance in the 2nm buffer zone).
The MORA (or OROCA) also gives a grid clearance of 1000' for normal region, or 2000' in DMR (designated mountainous region).
Luc