Table of Contents
Is it legal to fly VFR on top?
VFR over the top – flying VFR above a layer of clouds, even a solid layer, and it’s perfectly legal. 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.)
When flying VFR on top the pilot is responsible for?
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.
What airspace is VFR on top prohibited?
Class A airspace
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.
Who can fly VFR over the top?
student pilots
VFR over-the-top, on the other hand, does not require an instrument rating or any kind of clearance or flight plan. The only regulatory restriction is that student pilots are not allowed to fly above a cloud layer without ground reference.
What is the benefit of VFR-on-top?
BENEFITS OF VFR-ON-TOP This way pilots may avoid icing etc. Pilots operating VFR-on-Top will receive traffic information and safety alerts from ATC. A clearance to operate “VFR-on-Top/VFR conditions” does not cancel the IFR flight plan.
How do I get a VFR-on-top clearance?
You can request it on the ground, usually from clearance or ground control at a towered airport. Simply ask for an IFR climb to VFR-on-top. The controller will need to know your type aircraft and direction of flight. The clearance will usually have a clearance limit of a nearby VOR or other navaid.
Can I fly VFR in rain?
Yes, you can fly a plane VFR in rain as long as the visibility limits are met for your air space and altitudes. When flying below 3,000 feet AMSL or 1,000 above the terrain, you can fly in VFR in the rain if the sky is clear of clouds and in sight of water/the ground and also the flight visibility must be 5km.