Definition
An instrument approach procedure flown by a pilot for training purposes, conducted under either visual flight rules (VFR) or instrument flight rules (IFR), where the pilot is rehearsing the approach rather than flying it as the actual means of arriving at the airport.
Plain English
A pilot flies a published instrument approach for practice — to stay sharp or build skill — rather than because the weather requires it.
Context Anchor
You will hear this term when requesting or receiving ATC handling for an instrument approach used for training or currency.
Derivation
Practice means repeated performance to build skill. Instrument comes from a word meaning a tool or piece of equipment; here it points to using cockpit instruments and a published procedure. Approach means coming nearer; in aviation, it means the organized path and steps used to arrive at a runway.
Why Pilots Care
Lets pilots build and keep instrument skills without waiting for actual bad weather, supporting safety and legal currency requirements.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “practice” means informal or outside normal ATC procedures. A Practice Instrument Approach is still an instrument approach procedure; the practice part describes why it is being flown, not a lower standard for flying it.
Example Sentence 1
On a clear afternoon, the pilot called approach control and requested two practice instrument approaches into the home airport to maintain currency.
Example Sentence 2
During the instrument proficiency check the examiner had us fly two practice instrument approaches in visual conditions.