Peter wrote:
: Here in the UK, a pilot with an IMC or Instrument Rating flying above
: an overcast layer can call himself "VFR". There just isn't any point
: that I can think of because he can legally call himself "IFR" and get
: a better service from ATC.

Ah, but the main advantage (AIUI) is that the IFR clearance "VFR on top" gives
you the flexibility of chosing your own routing while still staying in the system. In
congested airspace, it's often unlikely they'll give you a routing at IFR altitudes
due to conflicting traffic. With VFR on top they're more likely to let you through
without a big diversion.

: One problem might be if on an IFR flight plan (mandatory in Class A,
: or if crossing national boundaries) and then one has to be IFR as per
: the clearance.

: The U.S. rules confuse the hell out of me, especially if the question
: is on separation from cloud on a VFR on top clearance, at night, in
: class C... I suppose one has to memorise it only once per life and,
: out of the USA, one never needs to use any of it anyway.

No joke... What an unnecessary PITA. Its only real value seems to be filler
for exam questions.

-Cory

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* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
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