Is VFR over the top legal?
Is VFR over the top legal?
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.)
What is the difference between VFR-on-top and VFR over the top?
It’s easy confuse “VFR-on-top” with “VFR over-the-top.” A VFR on-top clearance is an IFR clearance that allows pilots to fly at VFR altitudes. VFR over-the-top, on the other hand, is an operation where you maintains VFR cloud clearance requirements while operating on top of an overcast layer.
Who can fly VFR over the top?
pilot
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.
Can you do maneuvers VFR-on-top?
As long as you have the appropriate equipment on board and there is no traffic conflict, it is quite likely that your request will be approved. But if you’re going out to practice maneuvers above the clouds, VFR-on-top is a great option.
Are Pireps AGL or MSL?
Tops/PIREPS are reported in MSL.
How do you use VFR-on-top?
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. The clearance will also contain either a tops report or a statement that no tops report is available.
Is VFR on top legal in Canada?
Canada. The Canadian rules specify that an aircraft may be operated in VFR OTT flight during the cruise portion of the flight during the day, at a vertical distance from clouds of at least 1000 feet.
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 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.
How do you give a Pirep?
Give a cardinal wind directions like “from the southwest,” or say “from 220 degrees.” Icing: Report as trace, light, moderate or severe. Give the type of ice as rime, clear, or mixed. Make sure to report where the icing began and ended if you experienced different conditions during a climb or descent.
What’s the purpose of VfR on 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.
What is the difference between VfR and IFR flying?
To fly any aircraft there are generally two sets of rules: VFR and IFR. IFR stands for Instrument Flight Rules and VFR stands for Visual Flight rules. A pilot may decide to go for one of the set of rules on the basis of the weather conditions.
What is VfR vs IFR?
VFR vs. IFR flying. VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules and IFR means Instrument Flight Rules. Depending on the weather conditions a pilot may opt for one set of rules or the other. There are a number of other factors that influence the decision but for simplicity’s sake it’s the weather that make you fly VFR or IFR.
What does VFR stand for in aviation?
Marginal Visual Flight Rules – in an aviation product, refers to the general weather conditions pilots can expect at the surface. VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules and MVFR means Minimum or Marginal Visual Flight Rules. MVFR criteria means a ceiling between 1,000 and 3,000 feet and/or 3 to 5 miles visibility.
