Do you need clearance for VFR over the top?
You don’t need an instrument rating or any kind of special clearance to fly VFR over the top. Instead you must conduct your entire flight under VFR conditions following VFR rules even though some of the time you may be above a solid layer of clouds and unable to see the ground. Clouds are nothing but water vapor.
Is VFR-on-top IMC?
According to the FAA’s Instrument Flying Handbook (IFH), “pilots on IFR flight plans operating in VFR weather conditions may request VFR-on-top in lieu of an assigned altitude. Flying for extended periods of time through solid IMC can be fatiguing (and the view isn’t nearly as good!).
Can a VFR pilot fly VFR-on-top?
“The short answer is yes. You may legally fly on top as long as you can maintain the appropriate VFR cloud clearances. VFR-on-top is conducted by an instrument-rated pilot on an IFR flight plan. It allows the pilot to change altitudes, provided VFR cloud clearances are maintained.
Where are VFR-on-top operations prohibited?
VFR-on-top is not permitted in certain airspace areas, such as Class A airspace, certain restricted areas, etc. Consequently, IFR flights operating VFR-on-top will avoid such airspace.
What is the advantage of VFR-on-top?
“A VFR-on-top clearance allows a pilot to climb through a cloud layer or some other condition of less than basic Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC). Upon reaching VMC, you can either cancel the IFR flight plan or operate VFR-on-top.
When do you use VFR Over the top?
VFR-Over-The-Top is used by pilots on a VFR flight plan to fly above the clouds while still maintaining VFR cloud clearances. To be absolutely clear: you must maintain VFR cloud clearances the ENTIRE time. Here’s a quick refresher on VFR cloud clearances:
What are the limitations of VfR on top clearance?
A VFR-On-Top clearance has its limitations. Here are a few you need to follow: Pilots may not fly below minimum en route IFR altitudes because you could crash into the terrain. Minimum en route altitudes exist regardless of IFR or VFR weather conditions and weather assigned a specific altitude or VFR conditions on top.
What’s the best altitude for a VFR flight?
A cruise altitude of 3,500 feet, according to the hemispheric rule, seems like a good starting point–high enough to see your checkpoints and avoid obstacles; low enough to avoid prolonged time nose-up in a climb. The summer cumulus have started to sprout by the time you are airborne.
When to depart for VFR flying and clouds?
One of the most common VFR-and-clouds decisions that active pilots make is to depart on an early morning flight as soon as the previous night’s radiation fog breaks up enough to allow escape from the ground.