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Requesting VFR On Top Clearance

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Subscriber question:

"What is the proper technique and phraseology to obtain an IFR climb to VFR-on-top clearance? Also, when filing the flight plan, should anything different be included?"- Anonymous

John:

“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.

VFR on TopYou can request it on the ground, usually from clearance or ground control at a towered airport. 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. 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:

(NEW) IFR Mastery scenario #172 “Late Hold at Herlong” is now available. Pilots in the digital age will tell you that avionics proficiency can erode even faster than an instrument scan. How will you handle a canceled clearance with a last-minute hold when you know at least three different ways to accomplish the task? Can you make the magic box behave in time? Watch the Intro video.

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