Beethoven
Best advice is talk to the ATC unit concerned and use some common sense.
IAP's involve (more often than not) a 3 degree glide path. at 300 ft per mile it becomes obvious that crossing the final appproach track at 5 miles at 1500' or 7 miles at 2000ft is a really dumb move. If you're planning a flight (there we go - that swear word again) then if your proposed track crosses the procedure or a beacon associated with a procedure (beacon = HOLDING TRAFFIC) think to yourself - "what type of traffic is at this airfield and what is it likely to be doing".
By all means plan to route across the final approach track, as the procedures aren't always in use, but have a contingency plan and be aware that you might have to use it. Don't be afraid to ask for a RIS (if available) and vectoring around the traffic (if any). The reason there is no controlled airspace is because there isn't sufficient passenger numbers on flights to warrant it. The likes of Blackpool, Humberside and Filton (to name but a few) however still have public transport flights and IFR training which are best avoided.
The other thing to remember is that although the chevrons are shown for one runway they may be on the other end - and may still be doing Instrument Approaches. (We're a case in point - chevrons for runway 27 only, but we have an ILS on both ends).
If you're joining VFR and there are IAP's in use be aware that you may not be able to effect a straight in approach - expect join either base or down wind to keep you out of the way.
At the end of the day the watchword is planning. Know where you're going and know the airspace. Look at a map - not just blindly shove a route into a GPS and blast off.
CM
[ 28 February 2002: Message edited by: Chilli Monster ]</p>