Date: 201911
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class C ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Instructor; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I was the instructor; flying with a student; performing a practice IFR approach into ZZZ ILS XX. The conditions at the time were VMC; with a small overcast patch along the coast; five miles west of ZZZ; with tops at approximately; 1;000 ft. We could clearly see the airport and were never in IMC. Upon hand off from approach I was told to expect visual for XXL; to which I asked if we could get a GPS practice approach for Runway XX. I was told they were unable due to the use of Runway XY. I obtained the ATIS; contacted ATC and asked if we could do the ILS XY. To which ATC responded this was on request. Subsequently we were vectored for what I thought was a practice approach to ILS XY. We were cleared to descend to 2;400; heading 270. Then heading of 300. Then heading of 055; 2;400 ft. until established; cleared for the ILS XY. Approximately 45 seconds after initial clearance; we were told we could turn 090. I acknowledged. 40 seconds later; ATC asks if we're in the turn. I acknowledge we are in the turn. 30 seconds later; ATC asks us to check our altitude; and states the MVA is 3;800 ft. I realized immediately that ATC thought this was a hazard and we were flying toward the mountainous terrain; so I promptly responded; explaining that we were VFR and had the field in sight. To which ATC responded; IFR cancellation received no separation services provided; contact Tower. We continued to join the localizer and followed the ILS (continuing the practice approach) into Runway XY and landed. I called the phone number provided for a possible pilot deviation. I was told I was on an IFR flight plan. I explained that this was an instruction session and this was supposed to be a VFR practice approach. The Controller stated there may have been a miscommunication. In my attempt to allow the student some leeway in order to learn; we crossed the ILS XY localizer and we were correcting to establish. I knew once the Controller explained the MVA altitude that I needed to clarify with him that we were VMC and had the field in sight in order to alleviate any stress upon the Controller. Furthermore; we were conducting this approach with the autopilot. Upon debriefing with the student; it was clear automation was a factor in the overall completion of the turn from a heading of 300 to an overall heading of 090; a total 150 degrees.


Second narrative: I was working on practice approaches with my instructor this afternoon. We had done a few in ZZZ and ZZZ1 and decided to go to ZZZ2 for another. My instructor asked approach for a practice RNAV XX but was told XY was active so we asked if we could try the ILS XY instead. I was working on learning how to use the autopilot so that I could more easily brief the approach. We were vectored and given 2;400 ft. as an altitude and at the time of the issue; we had been given a turn to 055 and then another turn to 090. I had set those headings in the autopilot when they were called out. They asked if we were turning and my instructor confirmed we were and sure enough; we were banked and turning. I didn't think there was a problem at that time. Then ATC asked us to check our altitude because the MVA was 3;800 ft. This confused me as we had been given 2;400 ft. and I assumed all was well because we were at the given altitude and turning to the given heading. I saw then that while we were turning; we hadn't turned quickly enough and we had actually blown through the ILS course and needed to continue through the turn to come back in a bit to line up properly to intercept. It was my mistake and a valuable learning experience. My instructor informed ATC that we were VFR and had the field in sight and would be continuing the practice approach. I assume the controller wasn't aware that we were VFR and perhaps there was a lag in their radar where they didn't see that we were indeed turning and they thought we were heading towards the hills. I understand their concern if this is the case. I feel terrible and wish I had had better situational awareness to know that we were not on course before my instructor had to say something to me and before ATC became worried. We kept turning and eventually came back and got on the ILS and had an uneventful landing. When we took off about 15 mins or so later; we were given a number to call. My instructor called it and told me it was regarding the ILS. I feel even worse now. I had learned a lesson in the air and have further learned a valuable one on the ground. I will certainly require more practice in this area and plan to do some approaches in the SIM before I attempt them in the air again.


Synopsis: C182 Instructor reported that a miscommunication caused ATC to believe that the flight was IFR and below the sector MVA.