Practice approaches make you IFR??

[Sosee]

I cannot think of a time while doing a practice approach that the controller failed to state:
"123WTF turn right heading BLAH BLAH BLAH, Vector to final, cleared for the ILS Runway 08 PRACTICE Approach"

All of my practice approach clearances include "Practice approach" on my end and on ATC'c end.

 

[Roger Roger]

Ours always used "maintain vfr" iirc.

 

[JustinS]

I'll get half and half from the controllers. Sometimes my students will call up looking to practice an instrument approach, and ATC will give them an IFR clearance "N12345 cleared to the ABC airport via RV maintain 3,000 fly heading 360 vectors for the ILS 18." The other half they will say "Maintain VFR maintain 3000 fly heading 360 vectors for ILS 18."

Whenever I am flying, I will be very specific so there is no confusion. "Approach, N12345 requesting practice instrument approaches starting with the ILS 18 remaining VFR," or "Approach, N12345 requesting an IFR clearance to practice approaches starting with the ILS 18."

I generally only request an IFR clearance if I think we're going to need it to punch through clouds or we'll be breaking VFR cloud clearance requirements. Otherwise I'll just do VFR.

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

I cannot think of a time while doing a practice approach that the controller failed to state:
"123WTF turn right heading BLAH BLAH BLAH, Vector to final, cleared for the ILS Runway 08 PRACTICE Approach"

All of my practice approach clearances include "Practice approach" on my end and on ATC'c end.

I've heard it both ways.

For a long time, Denver TRACON used "cleared for...". Then about 3-4 years ago, they switched to "practice approach approved." When I moved to North Carolina, I went to an ATC seminar at RDU. I asked whether they used the "practice approach approved. No separation services provided" language and they looked at me like they had never heard of it.

When I discussed it with them after the seminar, they said they used the clearance language (even with "maintain VFR") because they chose to provide separation services to aircraft doing practice approaches under VFR. That's consistent with the ATC handbook and other official publications.

 

[Sosee]

Of course around the Socal Los Angeles basin area, the clearance for the practice approach is followed a minute or two later by:
"Cherokee 123WTF, I have to break you off your practice approach for the 737 which is about to fly up your caboose. Turn right heading 030, maintain vfr, caution wake turbulence, no separation services provided, vector for traffic and a side of ketchup to go with my double cheeseburger and coke"