Aircraft practicing instrument approach procedures provide a valuable training and proficiency tool for pilots under both IFR and VFR conditions.  Boston ARTCC is supportive of providing assistance to pilots conducting practice instrument approaches under both IFR and VFR flight plans.

AIRCRAFT ON IFR FLIGHT PLANS

Aircraft on an IFR flight plan executing practice instrument approaches at airports under Boston ARTCC control are advised that multiple approaches may be authorized based on traffic and workload conditions.  Normal IFR flight plan procedures are required for pilots requesting instrument approaches that do not terminate at the specified airport, such as filing additional flight plans that complete the intended flight itinerary including any remarks that signify a practice approach is requested, such as “Request Practice Approaches” or “Request MAP”. 

Pilots should expect to execute the full approach procedure as ATC vectoring to the final approach course is limited to localizer courses at airports where adequate radar coverage exists.  Pilots should advise on the appropriate sector frequency when requesting a specific approach procedure, feeder route or transition.  If a full stop landing is not intended, pilots should advise ATC and expect to execute the published missed approach procedure.  Holding at published holding fixes provides valuable training tools, however traffic and sector workload may restrict this activity.

SEPARATION SERVICES TO VFR AIRCRAFT REQUESTING INSTRUMENT PRACTICE APPROACHES

Traffic and workload permitting, Boston ARTCC will provide IFR separation to VFR aircraft practicing instrument approaches at the identified airports listed below.  Due to radar and frequency limitations, not all airports under Boston ARTCC control qualify for this additional separation service.  This service will be provided based on volume and complexity of traffic in the controlling sector and pilots should understand that a delay in approval or denial of this service may occur.

VFR pilots receiving this practice instrument approach separation service are not relieved of their responsibilities under FAR Part 91.113 to “see and avoid” other traffic.  In addition, VFR pilots not under an IFR flight plan are required to comply with basic VFR flight rules as specified in FAR Part 91.155.  Controllers will advise VFR pilots when the approach clearance is issued, to “Maintain VFR”.  Pilots are expected to advise ATC if conditions will not allow the execution of the procedure in VFR conditions and qualified pilots may request an IFR clearance, however traffic conditions may restrict this option.

A clearance to conduct a VFR practice instrument approach does not authorize the published missed approach procedure.  Pilots will request to execute the published missed approach procedure and approval will be based on sector traffic and workload conditions.

Pilots should expect to execute the full approach procedure as ATC vectoring to the final approach course is limited to localizer courses displayed at airports where adequate radar coverage exists.  Holding at published holding fixes provides valuable training tools, however separation services will not apply to these activities.

VFR aircraft requesting practice instrument approaches at the following airports should contact Boston ARTCC on the MHz frequencies listed below.  Certain airports advertised in previous Boston ARTCC Letters to Airman do not meet our criteria to adequately provide separation services for VFR practice instrument approach procedures and have been removed from our previous listings.  Pilots may still execute practice approaches at an airport not listed for approach separation services and should contact Boston ARTCC with their intentions.  ATC will issue advisory services, traffic and workload permitting.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Boston ARTCC Airspace and Procedures Office at (603) 879-6858.