I have never been cleared for a practice approach by tower... usually it's a thing that a radar controller does. Anytime I'm flying into a class D, I just report to tower that I am on the practice approach already. I've never had issues with that. Could be different in other regions of the NAS, though!
There are now a few comments along these lines. Some Class D airports will definitely make you coordinate practice approaches with TRACON, especially in busier areas, though I still think more out of the way Deltas will be fine coordinating directly with tower. Essentially all you're doing is asking for a long straight in VFR entry to the Delta.
@@flightinsight9111 I think those busy airports typically have LTA NOTAMs for VFR Practice Instrument Approaches listing the appropriate approach freqs.
Just did this last night! On an IFR flight plan, we went 2W6 - KRIC - KORF -2W6. Put in the remarks that we wanted ILS-16, ILS-5, RNAV-11. Got them all with no problems.
This might be the bread and butter for CFII's coordinating a good IFR training flight, but you're my bread and butter for studying for my CFII checkride.
I have always had better luck requesting practice approach with ATC first. Many times when you ask tower directly they tell you to request the approach with ATC first. It's a lot more work and we usualy do 3 of these with a safety pilot friend and switch seats: ATIS1 -> ATC -> Tower1 -> ATC -> ATIS2 -> Tower2 -> ATC -> ATIS3 -> Tower3 -> GND3 and then switch.
What are your thoughts on this? While on the ground at KXXX I request a TEC route to KXXX (same airport). They throw me in the system. ATC doesn't seem to be frustrated or stressed by this and they have always accommodated the request. Is it acceptable?
TEC routes are done very differently and are much more common in Southern California. The standard practice for SoCal is for you to request a TEC route without the need for filing. This might run counter to the actual regs (how can you file an alternate if needed if you don't file a flight plan?) and is not done anywhere else in the country. So I would say that if a round robin TEC route works in SoCal that's great, but the procedure will be a bit different elsewhere.
@@flightinsight9111 Good point about the alternate. I usually pick a VFR day or a "Gentlemen's IFR" day (mild marine layer, nothing too low) for the TEC route method. Otherwise, I'm filing the traditional way
I often take it a step further and use Flight Following and sometimes if they are not busy, they will hand me off to the tower with the practice approach already communicated to the tower.
Different regions of the NAS will employ different ways to coordinate practice approaches at towered airports. Deltas inside a bravo usually will require you to coordinate with approach, where as standalone deltas will have you request the practice approach with tower.
Interesting, I’ve always coordinated with approach / center for practice approaches, and never worked with tower directly. This is in California though which is generally full of busy airspace. Also, the controllers in my area don’t really want to hear your complete plan, just the first few steps. That said, they’re very comfortable with training flights. Interesting to see how things may be handled differently across the country.
I've never once encountered a controller who seemed to have read the remarks in my flight plan. I still write them, but I wonder if they even see them.
Funny you made this video, the day this was posted I actually did a round robin flight and remembered thinking how the hell do I file for a round robin. Great practice though
At many/most Class-D airports, Tower will refuse requests for a practice IFR approach and will instruct the pilot to contact and coordinate with APPROACH control (who will coordinate with Tower for the approach)
I have been told to use the term “visual” instead of practice. I.E. requesting the visual rnav 22. The reason being that an instrument rated Pilot can still practice an approach in IMC but a none rated pilot can not get into IMC. Therefore the term visual makes it clear to the controller that you may have to deviate should a cloud get in your way. Any thoughts on this or are they interchangeable?
I've never heard that. It doesn't make sense to me because ATC will always clear the practicing aircraft for VFR approach. You would need to file an IFR flight plan and be cleared in order to break VFR minimums
Yeah this just sounds wrong. In addition to the fact that that there will be an explicit "maintain VFR", the word "visual" is potentially misconstrued here as a visual approach (something VERY different).
@@matiaswilson4768 yes that's how I teach all of my students as well. to request the practice approach. If you don't mention practice they may tell you they can't clear you. but if you request the practice they will tell you to proceed and maintain VFR
Not all the time this is required. Low traffic delta airports you can just ask tower for the practice approach and they will tell you the usual maintain vfr report IAF/FAF inbound
I have never been cleared for a practice approach by tower... usually it's a thing that a radar controller does. Anytime I'm flying into a class D, I just report to tower that I am on the practice approach already. I've never had issues with that. Could be different in other regions of the NAS, though!
There are now a few comments along these lines. Some Class D airports will definitely make you coordinate practice approaches with TRACON, especially in busier areas, though I still think more out of the way Deltas will be fine coordinating directly with tower. Essentially all you're doing is asking for a long straight in VFR entry to the Delta.
They way he contacted tower for practice approaches is exactly how we do it in the Kansas City area.
@@flightinsight9111 I think those busy airports typically have LTA NOTAMs for VFR Practice Instrument Approaches listing the appropriate approach freqs.
Just did this last night! On an IFR flight plan, we went 2W6 - KRIC - KORF -2W6. Put in the remarks that we wanted ILS-16, ILS-5, RNAV-11. Got them all with no problems.
This might be the bread and butter for CFII's coordinating a good IFR training flight, but you're my bread and butter for studying for my CFII checkride.
I preach this all the time! This is a great way to practice buttonology and see the “why” behind the procedures!
Your videos are amazing. Would you be willing to do one for the DC SFRA?
I have always had better luck requesting practice approach with ATC first. Many times when you ask tower directly they tell you to request the approach with ATC first. It's a lot more work and we usualy do 3 of these with a safety pilot friend and switch seats: ATIS1 -> ATC -> Tower1 -> ATC -> ATIS2 -> Tower2 -> ATC -> ATIS3 -> Tower3 -> GND3 and then switch.
Thanks for all the good informations you give to all of us
What are your thoughts on this? While on the ground at KXXX I request a TEC route to KXXX (same airport). They throw me in the system. ATC doesn't seem to be frustrated or stressed by this and they have always accommodated the request. Is it acceptable?
TEC routes are done very differently and are much more common in Southern California. The standard practice for SoCal is for you to request a TEC route without the need for filing. This might run counter to the actual regs (how can you file an alternate if needed if you don't file a flight plan?) and is not done anywhere else in the country. So I would say that if a round robin TEC route works in SoCal that's great, but the procedure will be a bit different elsewhere.
@@flightinsight9111 Good point about the alternate. I usually pick a VFR day or a "Gentlemen's IFR" day (mild marine layer, nothing too low) for the TEC route method. Otherwise, I'm filing the traditional way
I often take it a step further and use Flight Following and sometimes if they are not busy, they will hand me off to the tower with the practice approach already communicated to the tower.
Great topic and nicely done! Thx for posting.
Different regions of the NAS will employ different ways to coordinate practice approaches at towered airports. Deltas inside a bravo usually will require you to coordinate with approach, where as standalone deltas will have you request the practice approach with tower.
Great presentation. Thanks
Interesting, I’ve always coordinated with approach / center for practice approaches, and never worked with tower directly. This is in California though which is generally full of busy airspace.
Also, the controllers in my area don’t really want to hear your complete plan, just the first few steps. That said, they’re very comfortable with training flights.
Interesting to see how things may be handled differently across the country.
Great info! Thanks so much.
I've never once encountered a controller who seemed to have read the remarks in my flight plan. I still write them, but I wonder if they even see them.
Funny you made this video, the day this was posted I actually did a round robin flight and remembered thinking how the hell do I file for a round robin. Great practice though
At many/most Class-D airports, Tower will refuse requests for a practice IFR approach and will instruct the pilot to contact and coordinate with APPROACH control (who will coordinate with Tower for the approach)
I have been told to use the term “visual” instead of practice. I.E. requesting the visual rnav 22. The reason being that an instrument rated Pilot can still practice an approach in IMC but a none rated pilot can not get into IMC. Therefore the term visual makes it clear to the controller that you may have to deviate should a cloud get in your way. Any thoughts on this or are they interchangeable?
I've never heard that. It doesn't make sense to me because ATC will always clear the practicing aircraft for VFR approach. You would need to file an IFR flight plan and be cleared in order to break VFR minimums
Yeah this just sounds wrong. In addition to the fact that that there will be an explicit "maintain VFR", the word "visual" is potentially misconstrued here as a visual approach (something VERY different).
I clarified it with my instructor. You should say “practice” not visual.
@@matiaswilson4768 yes that's how I teach all of my students as well. to request the practice approach. If you don't mention practice they may tell you they can't clear you. but if you request the practice they will tell you to proceed and maintain VFR
Corrinate with tracon not tower to start practice approaches need to be sequenced in
Not all the time this is required. Low traffic delta airports you can just ask tower for the practice approach and they will tell you the usual maintain vfr report IAF/FAF inbound
3:05 nontowered class D????
Or
Ahhh Poor little Freeway Airport, the Toll Brothers got you before we did.