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How do you fly over the top of the VFR?
To fly VFR on top, you must be an instrument-rated pilot on an instrument flight plan and request a VFR-on-top clearance. (To complicate matters, this is sometimes called IFR over the top.) This allows you to climb through clouds to VFR weather above them.
What does VFR-on-top permit you to do?
VFR-On-Top is a request you need to initialize with ATC. You can request to climb through clouds, haze, smoke, or other weather layers with the intent of either operating “VFR-On-Top”, or cancelling your IFR clearance after you reach VFR conditions.
Are Scattered clouds VFR?
A practical guide is that a scattered layer consists of individual clouds that are separated by large holes allowing easy penetration under VFR conditions. When this is no longer possible but holes are still present, we have a broken layer. When there are no holes at all, we have an overcast.
Can you fly VFR above 18000?
VFR above FL 180 isn’t happening. IFR only about 18000 feet and you have to use the IFR cardinal pressure altitudes. VFR on top would have you picking your altitude with 500 foot offsets, and it just isn’t allowed. All traffic is controlled in Class A airspace.
Is VFR on top an IFR clearance?
In short, a VFR on-top clearance is an IFR clearance that allows pilots to fly at VFR altitudes (i.e. to select a level in lieu of the assigned one). This can be helpful if flying slightly above, or in between layers, and it is preferable to stay out of the clouds.
How do I get a VFR clearance?
As a pilot performing a VFR flight and departing from a controlled airfield, you must contact the ATC before taxi in order to have the initial VFR clearance. You will obtain this clearance from a ground or tower controller. In other airports, you may ask the approach controller to obtain your clearance.
When should I request a VFR on top?
VFR on Top
- Must be requested by the pilot on an IFR flight plan, and if approved, in VFR, allows the pilot the choice to select an altitude or flight level in lieu of an assigned altitude.
- Pilots desiring to climb through a cloud, haze, smoke, or other layer may cancel their IFR flight plan to operate VFR-on-top.
How high can you go VFR?
An aircraft must maintain an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
Is VFR on top legal in UK?
Can I fly “VFR on Top”? UK licences do not ban it, but remember, if you intend to be VFR above cloud above 3000′ amsl, cloud separation rules apply – you need to be 1000′ above the tops or 1000′ below the base, as well as having 1500m horizontal separation.
When to clear an aircraft for VfR on top?
You may clear an aircraft to maintain “ VFR ‐on‐top” if the pilot of an aircraft on an IFR flight plan requests the clearance. MAINTAIN VFR‐ON‐TOP.
Do you need to maintain VFR on top at altitude?
NO TOPS REPORTS. IF NOT ON TOP AT (altitude), MAINTAIN (altitude), AND ADVISE. MAINTAIN VFR‐ON‐TOP. Do not clear an aircraft to maintain “ VFR ‐on‐top” between sunset and sunrise to separate holding aircraft from each other or from en route aircraft unless restrictions are applied to ensure the appropriate IFR vertical separation.
Who is responsible for maintaining VFR on top?
When an aircraft has been cleared to maintain “ VFR ‐on‐top,” the pilot is responsible to fly at an appropriate VFR altitude, comply with VFR visibility and distance from cloud criteria, and to be vigilant so as to see and avoid other aircraft.
When to advise ATC when operating VFR on top?
You should advise ATC before any altitude change when operating VFR-on-top. This ensures ATC can provide accurate traffic information and separation. VFR-on-top is not permitted in Class A airspace. When you fly VFR-on-top, you may receive traffic advisories from ATC about other pertinent IFR or VFR aircraft.