Crab - do you still really think IMC let downs should never be below MSA in IFR helicopters?
No they shouldn't, unless there is a published procedure. Surely this and other threads like it show why this is a good idea. As others have said where do you draw the line?
I appreciate that the reluctance of the CAA in relation to GPS approaches is frustrating and progress in other countries shows that this can be done properly and safely. But the practice of making up your own approach is not working very well. There is always someone who pushes just that little bit too far.
Shy: I agree 1000' is an arbitrary number and maybe with today's technological advances this could be lower (even though as Crab has pointed out this doesn't always just relate to knowing your position accurately, it also takes into account pilot errors, turbulence, altimeter errors etc...). The main point however is that there must be a clear limit, whatever that number is.