wrong clearance ??
I agree with what was posted here before. However, some remarks from an ATC - Dinosaur.
The flight was IFR in IMC en route from King Salmon to Dillingham. That routing indicates the probability that the flight was about to enter or within the 30 miles arc around ZEDAG with an MSA of 5400 ft. Next the crew requested to enter the holding pattern connected to ZEDAG. That most probably leads to a tear drop entry into the 30 miles sector north of ZEDAG with an MSA of 6300 ft.
With this as a background and the published RNAV Entry Minima at no time a clearance that contains wording to "maintain at or above 2000 ft. altitude" could be issued by ATC. As I remember ATC is responsible for the terrain clearance of IFR flights in IMC!!
So en route to ZEDAG no clearance below 6300 ft or any other MSA to be obeyed. After establishment in the holding pattern descent clearance to 4300 ft. And only than with the approach clearance issued the request - "report Zedag inbound to the field and leaving 4300 ft "
Thatīs how we did it some time ago !
Last edited by Annex14; 14th Mar 2013 at 20:15.