Mark Hansen wrote:

One thing I noticed around here, is that when you're practicing
approaches, NorCal will say "Approved for the approach" rather than
"Cleared for the approach". They don't do this every time, but I was
told this was their way of making it clear that they know you're not
on an IFR flight plan.

Here in the PHX tracon, they are specific about this phraseology distinction. It's always, "practice
approach approved, maintain VFR", as distinct from "cleared for the approach" .

Interesting thread. We get so little actual IMC that this opportunity doesn't present itself very often. And
when it does, the tracon is too busy with real traffic to deal with all us GA pilots looking for a little actual.
Maybe time for a trip to California.

Mike