On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 21:42:47 -0400, Peter Clark
wrote in
::

On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 01:03:36 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote:

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 20:30:17 -0400, Peter Clark
wrote in
::

Non-IMC practice approaches are flown VFR,

I wish you had an authoritative citation for that opinion.

Nothing except pages like http://www.awp.faa.gov/lta/lta_list.cfm
containing references to ATC services provided to VFR aircraft doing
practice approaches,

This is the first reference I looked at from the link you provided
above:

http://www.awp.faa.gov/lta/oprdoc/Ge...M?File_ID=2212
----------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
FRESNO AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER
5055 E. Andersen Ave. Suite 2
Fresno, Ca. 93727

ISSUED: March 11, 2005
EFFECTIVE: April 5, 2005

FRESNO AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL LETTER TO AIRMEN NO. 05-1

SUBJECT: VFR Practice Instrument Approaches

CANCELLATION: April 5, 2007

Fresno ATCT/TRACON (ATC) provides approach control service and
standard IFR separation to VFR aircraft practicing instrument approach
procedures to Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The primary
approach control frequencies for Fresno Yosemite are 119.6/351.95
(North) and 132.35/323.25 (South).

ATC provides VFR aircraft practicing instrument approach procedures
with standard IFR separation, applying 500-foot vertical separation.
When separating from heavy/B757 aircraft, vertical separation is
increased to 1000 feet. IFR separation begins when the approach
clearance becomes effective and continues throughout the missed
approach procedure. However, pilots of VFR aircraft practicing
instrument approach procedures can expect to receive VFR departure
instruction (i.e., MAINTAIN AT OR BELOW 2000 feet or FLY RUNWAY
HEADING) in lieu of published missed approach procedures. When
vectoring and sequencing for an approach procedure, ATC provides Class
C separation and service to radar identified VFR aircraft.

At secondary airports under our jurisdiction with published instrument
approaches, pilots conducting VFR practice instrument approaches will
receive standard IFR separation, applying 500-foot vertical
separation. Some delays may be anticipated dependent on workload, and
radar capability.

These airports a Fresno Chandler-Executive (frequency 119.0),
Visalia Municipal (frequency 118.5, Madera Municipal (frequency
119.45) and Hanford Municipal (frequency 123.9).

For further information, refer to the Airmen's Information Manual.
Subject “Practice Instrument Approaches” or call Fresno ATCT/TRACON at
(559) 255-5754.


Original signed by Kenneth J Hyman
Kenneth J Hyman
Acting Air traffic Manager/Fresno Tower/TRACON
----------------------------------------------------------

That does seem to substantiate your claim. Thanks.

and the aforementioned controller telling us
"maintain VFR at all times" when giving us our approach instructions,
lack of hard IFR altitude assignments, filing an IFR flightplan, or
requesting a popup IFR clearance.......

Right.

thus the requirement for the safety pilot to look out for
other traffic and ensure you don't violate cloud
separation, etc.

Of course aircraft on an IFR flight plan flying an approaches in VMC
are _required_ to see-and-avoid also.

But are not required to avoid clouds, the point I was attempting to
make.