There are actually two pieces to this. There’s the clearance to maintain altitude “VFR-on-top” itself, but there is also the variation mentioned in “Tame the Fog Monster” last month, the IFR departure to VFR-on-top. Both are useful tools that deserve a closer look.
On Top of The World
Key Takeaways:
- VFR-on-top is an IFR clearance allowing pilots to choose and maintain VFR altitudes and conditions while on an IFR flight plan, providing altitude flexibility above the Minimum En Route Altitude (MEA).
- The "IFR to VFR-on-top" clearance specifically enables pilots to climb through Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) to Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) above, often requested as a "pop-up" clearance without a pre-filed IFR plan.
- Operating VFR-on-top combines the benefits of IFR services (e.g., radar advisories) with VFR flight flexibility (e.g., altitude choice, potential for deviations), while making the pilot primarily responsible for VFR cloud clearances, visibility, and traffic avoidance.
- This clearance is a valuable tool for escaping low ceilings or adverse conditions in cloud tops and offers the ability to easily transition back to full IFR services, such as for an instrument approach at the destination.
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