"Mike Adams" wrote in message
news:AnKsd.176820$bk1.47553@fed1read05...

Hmmm, never got a practice approach approved.....

I have always received cleared for the "type of approach" approach
when I am doing approaches under VMC.

Maybe practice approach is a regional thing?


Maybe so. My experience is mostly with the Phoenix Tracon, and they have a
standard litany, "Practice approach approved. No separation services
provided.
Maintain VFR.", which to me has always seemed distinct from the normal IFR
"cleared for the approach" terminology. I looked in the AIM, and there's
some
words on practice approaches in 4-3-21, but I didn't see anything on
communications terminology.


It's standard phraseology where separation services are not provided to VFR
aircraft practicing instrument approaches.


FAA Order 7110.65P Air Traffic Control

Chapter 4. IFR

Section 8. Approach Clearance Procedures

4-8-11. PRACTICE APPROACHES

Except for military aircraft operating at military airfields, ensure that
neither VFR nor IFR practice approaches disrupt the flow of other arriving
and departing IFR or VFR aircraft. Authorize, withdraw authorization, or
refuse to authorize practice approaches as traffic conditions require.
Normally, approaches in progress should not be terminated.

NOTE-
The priority afforded other aircraft over practice instrument approaches is
not intended to be so rigidly applied that it causes grossly inefficient
application of services.

a. Separation.

1. IFR aircraft practicing instrument approaches shall be afforded
standard separation in accordance with Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5,
Chapter 6, and Chapter 7 minima until:

(a) The aircraft lands, and the flight is terminated, or

(b) The pilot cancels the flight plan.

2. Where procedures require application of IFR separation to VFR
aircraft practicing instrument approaches, standard IFR separation in
accordance with Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, and Chapter 7
shall be provided. Controller responsibility for separation begins at the
point where the approach clearance becomes effective. Except for heavy
aircraft/B757, 500 feet vertical separation may be applied between VFR
aircraft and between a VFR and an IFR aircraft.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7210.3, Practice Instrument Approaches, Para 6-4-4.
FAAO 7210.3, Practice Instrument Approaches, Para 10-4-5.

3. Where separation services are not provided to VFR aircraft practicing
instrument approaches, the controller shall;

(a) Instruct the pilot to maintain VFR.

(b) Advise the pilot that separation services are not provided.

PHRASEOLOGY-
"(Aircraft identification) MAINTAIN VFR, PRACTICE APPROACH APPROVED,
NO SEPARATION SERVICES PROVIDED."

(c) Provide traffic information or advise the pilot to contact the
appropriate facility.

4. If an altitude is assigned, including at or above/below altitudes,
the altitude specified must meet MVA, minimum safe altitude, or minimum IFR
altitude criteria.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Altitude Assignments, Para 7-7-5.

5. All VFR aircraft shall be instructed to maintain VFR on initial
contact or as soon as possible thereafter.

NOTE-
This advisory is intended to remind the pilot that even though ATC is
providing IFR-type instructions, the pilot is responsible for compliance
with the applicable parts of the CFR governing VFR flight.

b. Missed Approaches.

1. Unless alternate instructions have been issued, IFR aircraft are
automatically authorized to execute the missed approach depicted for the
instrument approach being flown.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Missed Approach, Para 4-8-9.

2. VFR aircraft are not automatically authorized to execute the missed
approach procedure. This authorization must be specifically requested by the
pilot and approved by the controller. When a missed approach has been
approved, separation shall be provided throughout the missed approach.

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, Para 7-2-1.