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2 Answers

Clarification on VFR on top clearance.

Asked by: 1150 views Instrument Rating, Weather

It’s come to my understanding that there are multiple ways to pick up a VFR on top clearance. 

Do you need to file an IFR flight plan prior or could you just call up the appropriate ATC facility and request a clearance right there and then?

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2 Answers



  1. Bryan on Nov 30, 2022

    It is the same as any other IFR clearance. You could file IFR and get clearance before leaving the ground. You could file IFR, take off VFR, get clearance en route (before operating in IMC or controlled airspace). You could also file IFR/VFR if you just need the IFR to get off the ground and can go the rest of the way VFR–in which case you wouldn’t need VFR on top later because you can just go VFR. Or the other way around…file VFR/IFR if you know you can depart visually but will need IFR for arrival (can be very useful if you’re leaving someplace busy or near/under a Bravo under good conditions). You can also pick up a “pop up” IFR clearance if you’re in the air VFR and need to get into someplace where you can’t meet visibility or cloud clearances.

    Regardless of which path you took to get an IFR clearance, once you have it and the conditions permit, you may request VFR on top.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Dec 04, 2022

    I think Bryan’s “like any other IFR clearance” is accurate. But VFR On Top is, while not rare, not that common. Practically speaking it’s typically used by pilots to avoid something, usually weather encountered enroute. It allows some of the altitude latitude offered by VFR flight but, since you are still IFR, you have some of the restrictions, responsibilities and benefits of IFR.

    So except for the pilot who wants VFR on top to get to a certain altitude and then cancel (and there’s no need to use it for that), the typical On Top request is when you encounter conditions that merit it while you are already in flight on a IFR flight plan, rather than something you ask for in the ground.

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