Operating under a clearance, yes.
But how does the lack of an Instrument rating enter the picture? Do the
IFR rules say you have to have an instrument rating? Obviously there
are exceptions, because it is fairly common to get a legal clearance
above 18K even though the glider has no gyros and the pilot has no
instrument rating. Wave windows are the most common usage, but
I believe there have been examples of pop up clearances.




In article , ZikZak wrote:
On 10/10/03 11:38 AM, in article
, "Robert M. Gary"
wrote:

"BTIZ" wrote in message
news:cJqhb.13701$La.3552@fed1read02...

2) you "can fly VFR" above FL-180, and be in VMC (Visual Meteorological
Conditions) at the time... you have an "IFR clearance" to do so.. gliders
are cleared above FL-180 all the time.. "remain clear of clouds"..

I'm not sure what you mean by "fly VFR above FL-180". Yes, you can be
VMC and yes you can be navigating visually, yes you can be maintaining
visual separation from called traffic, but you are still operating
under IFR.

There are a (very) few places in the U.S. where class A does not extend down
to FL180.