Practice Instrument Approaches

Authorize, withdraw authorization, delay, or refuse to authorize practice instrument approaches in accordance with the following:

1. When sector/position traffic conditions and/or workload prevent the authorization of practice instrument approaches, advise the pilot of the reason, and if applicable, the anticipated delay until the operation can be approved. Controller‐imposed delays should not be indefinite. Normally, approaches in progress should not be terminated.
2. 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.
3. IFR aircraft conducting practice instrument approaches must be afforded IFR separation in accordance with Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, and Chapter 7 of this order until the aircraft lands and the flight is terminated, or the pilot cancels the flight plan.
4. VFR aircraft conducting practice instrument approaches:
   1. Must be instructed to maintain VFR on initial contact or as soon as possible thereafter.
   2. Where a facility directive requires the application of IFR separation to VFR aircraft practicing instrument approaches, IFR separation in accordance with Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, and Chapter 7 of this order must be provided. Except for super or heavy aircraft, 500 feet vertical separation may be applied between VFR aircraft and between a VFR and an IFR aircraft.
   3. Controller responsibility for IFR separation to VFR aircraft begins at the point where the approach clearance becomes effective and ends when the aircraft reaches the missed approach point, unless IFR separation is required for the missed approach procedure as specified in subparagraph e2 below.
   4. Where a facility directive does not require the application of IFR separation services to VFR aircraft practicing instrument approaches, the controller must:
      1. Instruct the pilot to maintain VFR and advise the pilot that separation services are not provided.
      2. Provide traffic information or advise the pilot to contact the appropriate facility.
   5. 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.
5. 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.
   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 and the practice approach is conducted in accordance with subparagraph d2 above, IFR separation must be provided throughout the procedure including the missed approach. If the practice approach is conducted in accordance with subparagraph d3 above, IFR separation services are not required during the missed approach.