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“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. 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. Additionally, the ATC clearance may contain alternate instructions if VFR-on-top is not reached by a specified altitude. If you file an IFR flight plan for a climb to VFR-on-top, specify the route desired and for the altitude specify OTP/altitude requested.” For more information, see AIM Section 4-4-8. Watch this related video from AOPA:
You just popped through a layer of overcast clouds on an IFR cross-country flight and it's perfectly VFR, as far as the eye can see. Is it time to request a VFR-on-top clearance? What's The Point?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. This permits them to select an altitude or flight level of their choice (subject to any ATC restrictions)." This can be helpful if you're slightly above, or in between layers, and you want to stay out of the clouds. Flying for extended periods of time through solid IMC can be fatiguing (and the view isn't nearly as good!). Staying out of the clouds can make your passengers more comfortable too. There's typically less turbulence when you're in VMC, there's no doubt a better view, and it helps your passengers avoid air sickness. A "maintain VFR-on-top" clearance doesn't restrict you to operating only above an IMC layer, either. The clearance permits operations above, below, between layers, or in areas where there is no meteorological obstruction. Requesting A "Climb To VFR-On-Top"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. Keep in mind, your clearance to operate "VFR-on-top/VFR conditions" does't cancel your IFR flight plan. And in busy airspace, you may not be able to get the clearance due to conflicting traffic, or ATC workload. More on that below... Do You Know Regulations You Need To Follow?When you're flying on an IFR flight plan, a VFR-on-top clearance comes with a few stipulations:
When you fly VFR-on-top, you may receive traffic advisories from ATC about other pertinent IFR or VFR aircraft. HOWEVER, when you operate in VFR conditions, it's your responsibility as PIC to see and avoid other aircraft. What About "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. This usually happens when departure and destination airports have good weather conditions, but a low overcast layer exists in between. You can depart, climb, cruise, and descend in VFR conditions along your route, even while IFR conditions may be present at lower altitudes (though we don't really recommend this, especially if you're non-instrument rated). Have you ever requested a VFR-on-top clearance? Tell us why or why not in the comments below.
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ATC authorization for an IFR aircraft to operate in VFR conditions at any appropriate VFR altitude. A pilot receiving this authorization must comply with the VFR visibility, distance from cloud criteria, and the minimum IFR altitudes. The use of this term does not relieve controllers of their responsibility to separate aircraft in Class B and Class C airspace or terminal radar service areas. Source: US FAA DescriptionThe procedure is used in the USA and is not an ICAO standard. 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. Flying for extended periods of time through IMC can be fatiguing and less comfortable (turbulence is ofthen present in clouds). Also, being able to see distant objects helps avoid air sickness. The procedure is is not intended to restrict pilots so that they must operate only above an obscuring meteorological formation (layer). Instead, it permits operation above, below, between layers, or in areas where there is no meteorological obscuration. It is imperative, however, that pilots understand that clearance to operate "VFR−on−top/VFR conditions" does not imply cancellation of the IFR flight plan. 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. The pilot is also responsible to comply with instrument flight rules applicable to the flight (e.g., adherence to ATC clearances). Although IFR separation is not applied, controllers must continue to provide traffic advisories and safety alerts, and apply merging target procedures to aircraft operating VFR-on-top. The pilot should advise ATC prior to any altitude change to ensure the exchange of accurate traffic information. The appropriate level for VFR-on-top is derived by adding 500 ft to the corresponding IFR level, i.e.:
VFR-on-top clearances are not available in Class A airspace. Related Articles
Further Reading
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What altitude may a pilot on an IFR flight plan select Upon receiving a VFR on top clearance?
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