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Andrew Sarangan wrote:

I agree that MSA does not satisfy the altitudes in mountainous areas.
But in nonmountainous areas MSA does satisfy the altitude
requirements. What am I missing here?

That they are not published as IFR altitudes under either of the pertinent
IFR alitude regulations, Part 95 or Part 97.

True, but under the circumstances Andrew described (flying off-route direct
to an IAF), Parts 95 and 97 do not prescribe a minimum altitude. Hence,
91.177a2 applies. In a non-mountainous area, 91.177a2ii specifies a
condition that can be assured by reference to the MSA.

--Gary