VFR On Top

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 05:47 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Key corrections clarify that VFR on top allows flight below MEA/MOCA in the US (but not Canada) with pilot responsibility for terrain clearance, and a strong headwind requires a *higher* power setting to maintain glidepath.
Insights on mountain flying stress the importance of respecting passenger comfort, conducting thorough safety reviews after close calls, and meticulous planning for challenging conditions like density altitude.
Other discussions include questioning the practical utility of typical "power-on" stall training and correcting the misidentification of F-5 fighter jets for T-38s in an article photo and movie reference.

See a mistake? Contact us.

I just want to correct something in your “IFR Rules, VFR Tools” article (August 2022). On page 10 in the blue box, it says, “Of course, you must fly no lower than the published MEA or MOCA.”

Actually, one of the advantages of VFR on top is to be able to fly lower than the MEA or MOCA. You can get this if you request VFR on top at a VFR altitude and add the phrase “and I’ll be responsible for my own terrain clearance.”