to do practice approaches etc.
Agree with everything but would like to note an exception to the above quoted. "Practice approaches" may be conducted under VFR. ATC will often approve "VFR practice approaches" (at least down here around Los Angeles) when due to traffic volume they'd prefer not to deal with repetitive approaches under IFR. Good catch on the IFR PIC quals!
And other than that one issue, great post AČ.
westhawk