"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:4Tv%f.3147$8q.416@dukeread08...

You can always request a contact approach and fly any
altitude and path including the normal VFR pattern and still
be "on an IFR clearance."


Well, you can always request a contact approach, but you can't always get
one. Clearance for a contact approach requires a reported ground visibility
of at least one mile. Not all airports have weather reporting.



If you are working for an
operator who does not allow cancellation of IFR, then it is
up to the PIC to determine the method required to comply
with IAP and VFR traffic pattern.


Compliance with the "VFR traffic pattern" is not required in this case.
Review the regulation, before you get to " make all turns of that airplane
to the left", you have "unless otherwise authorized or required." If you're
on the VOR-A and intend to land on runway 16 compliance with the restriction
on circling east of the runway will require turns to the right