On Thu, 4 Jan 2007 17:52:30 -0500, "Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" The Sea
Hawk at wow way d0t com wrote:

"Roger" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 2 Jan 2007 17:29:41 -0500, "Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" The Sea
Hawk at wow way d0t com wrote:

"601XL Builder" wrDOTgiacona@suddenlinkDOTnet wrote in message
...
...

He needs his ticket yanked and I'll bet his instructor has a meeting
with
the FSDO as well.

From the description, it sounds like he attempted VFR over the top of the
overcast - I assume he was counting on a hole somewhere near the
destination? Perhaps he had a favorable forcast for somewhere down the
way?

The funny thing is that I have heard others on this newsgroup (or perhaps,
r.a.student) talk about doing exactly the same thing with not much of a
reaction. I guess they got away with it.

VFR over the top here in the states is quite common.


So then, why is everyone trying to get on this guy's case. Because his luck
ran out?

I'd guess because he apparently descended through the clag with out a
rating instead of proceeding on to where he could let down VFR.
Although the one area reported 1000 foot ceilings it appears others
were reporting much less and some cases of fog.

VFR over the TOP is taking a calculated risk and should be done with
"known" good VFR below the ceiling.(at least 1500 and 5) You also need
to know what is below just in case the engine quits or you smell
something burning. Plus you need good VFR within reach plus some
reserve.

The problem as I see it (with what information I have), is not that
his luck ran out, but with lack of planning, he made some poor
decisions resulting in a dangerous situation where he needed that
luck..
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com