I am 100% with mm_flynn on this. There is no obligation to either transition to a visual approach (an IFR procedure) or to cancel IFR altogether, just because the conditions are/become VMC.

Good question, because if you are right, I will struggle to maintain currency on IAPs as I often fly solo.

Tim

No, of course you can fly an ils in vmc, i think the point being made is simply if it is a practice approach then say so.

I think beagle then goes on to say that if its wall to wall vmc why would you fly an ils other than as a declared practice approach. That assertion is a matter of opinion but i am sure we can see his point.

What is gained by declaring it is a practice approach? That is another debate.

Flying IFR solo outside CAS in 8/8 VMC very probably reduces your capacity to maintain a safe lookout. Which is why practising instrument approaches is regulated accordingly.

Take the case of Manston with its IAPs in Class G airspace on a nice, sunny cloudless day. As the UK AIP states:

So without a competent observer keeping a safe lookout flying on instruments in such circumstances, or even watching an autopilot doing so, exposes you and others to collision risk. A Hawk flying VFR ouside the Manston ATZ may quite legitimately cross the ILS approach, but would be rather stupid to do so where the distance from touchdown and transit height would be close to the assumed height expected to be flown by inbound ILS traffic, particularly if not in RT contact with the aerodrome at the time.

There is no need to 'cancel IFR' in order to continue visually. If you don't, it will simply mean that your flight will continue to be regulated accordingly:

Note 'in relation to other IFR traffic'. Not VFR!

Often we keep locked onto the ILS for passenger comfort even in good VMC!
If it is good VMC then there are a number of options
cancel IFR and request a visual join.
Ask for vectors to visual
Ask for a tighter intercept
Usually when flying IFR it's more about reducing track miles to touchdown and hence time and cost.

One caution on leaving IFR and an ILS is to be very sure that it is VMC to touchdown as many have been fooled into doing so only to run into scud cloud or unseen poor vis

Pace

Pace, if that's 'we' flying multi-pilot CAT (or corporate), then that's rather a different kettle of fish, as compared with a private pilot flying solo IFR in good VMC.....

... and GPS is illegal for primary navigation.

Out of curiosity Peter, please show me the law you refer to?

ATC know they can ask you politely whether you mind doing a visual approach instead if someone else needs the ILS more than you do?

If it's good VMC, why would they?

Tim

Gert (I'll omit the rude part)

As a controller, I would not entirely agree with that; it's up to ATC to facilitate what everyone requires, even if that entails "expect ... in ... minutes due traffic" - assuming that you have made the request in good time, of course!

2 s

Wot I mean is, if I'm just wanting an ILS for practice on the way back from somewhere, and it doesn't matter very much whether I do it or not, I don't want to get in the way of some else whose main purpose of the flight is using the ILS, say instrument training or test, or a test flight, or a commercial flight whose SOPs require them to use the ILS, or whatever.

So I will negotiate with ATC that I'll take an ILS if it's not going to hold anyone else up, otherwise I'll join visually. And I'll certainly junk the ILS and join visually if the alternative is holding!

Its quite simple ...book in VFR (if you need to PPR)

Call them up on the radio and announce your presence and request an ILS (vectored, procedural or whatever) for currency.

They will nearly always respond in the affirmative and sometimes enquire if you wish to switch to IFR. If you stay VFR then you are responsible for letting them know if an instruction would take you IFR (and saying unable to comply) otherwise keep a good look out and fly the ILS.

Remember you are ultimately responsible for ensuring clear separation from other aircraft unless you are in Class A in the UK.

Don't try and do this outside of the UK ... but do relax and enjoy.

Have 2 sets of Mk I eyeballs in the cockpit helps with all VFR flight. If you're under the hood then the passenger needs to be rated to fly the aircraft you're in (at least under FAA regs which I'm more familiar with) ..

But it's not currency as the OP stated he has not yet got his rating.

Surely the case here is to speak and consult with the Chief FI and if deemed viable to then discuss with ATC prior to undertaking said practice. Otherwise....

....Requesting an ILS whilst then advising 'unable to comply' with vectoring that takes away in sight of surface, will surely leave the Controller unsure as to the vailidity of the request for an ILS approach. Potentially then resulting in a post landing set of wtf questions from all concerned.

????
It is routine to conduct practice approaches (including ILSs) under VFR (which makes the controllers life easier) and the controller would fully expect the pilot to stay in VMC and tell the controller if an instruction could not be executed while remaining in VMC.

You guys are making hard work of this question.

True!
I wouldn't necessarily agree with that!

2 s