VFR-On-Top Procedures

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

Joe,

True, but I don't like pilots changing altitude without letting me know.

WickedPenguin Junior Member Pensacola

To add another question to the pile: If a pilot has been cleared IFR to a local fix, has reported VFR/OTP, and now wants to just continue VFR outside of your airspace, wouldn't you need to solicit an IFR cancellation? You can't just terminate his services without him specifically saying, "Canceling IFR."

Something like (and I'm just pulling this out of my a$$ here): "N123, your clearance limit is [LOCAL FIX]. You will need to cancel your IFR clearance before proceeding as requested, as that area is outside my airspace."

joecoolinsc Rookie Spartanburg, SC

I understand, but he is still required to follow your instructions.

"N12345 maintain VFR-On-Top at seven thousand five hundred".

and/or

"N12345 advise prior to changing altitude".

Even most VFR aircraft will advise prior to changing altitude without being instructed to. But you can assign them altitudes or use the latter phraseology on them too.

joecoolinsc Rookie Spartanburg, SC

If you believe his original intent was to cancel IFR upon reaching VFR, there is nothing wrong with clarifying that. If that's the case he is just IFR then VFR.

OTP procedures do not factor in at all.

ATCinWI Senior Member Illinois

You can't solicit the cancellation, but you can remind him. If he doesn't cancel and his clearance limit is inside your airspace, he can't go any further than the clearance limit . . . he would have to hold, so issue holding instructions and a request for intentions. He'll either cancel or ask for something else which you can provide.

simoneaux Newcomer OKC

I do prefer my VFR on top....

"Stewardess... please come to the cockpit, I need to practice a couple VFR On Top procedures"



Giggity Giggity Giggity!

WickedPenguin Junior Member Pensacola

So... how would you remind him?

Option 1: "N123, I'm thinking of a word. Six letters. Two vowels. Rhymes with Hansel. As in Gretel."

Option 2: "N123, I don't think I'll ever cancel my subscription to IFR magazine."

Roddy_Piper Resident Knucklehead Vegas baby

both are funny, but option 1 is hilarious. i vote for 1.

ATCinWI Senior Member Illinois

Reminds me of a time when the ground visibility was 2 miles, but the pilot was overhead and could see the airport, but wouldn't ask for a special VFR. It was a little rediculous how far it went. "N12345, there's no special time we take a special weather observation" and "We had an aircraft get in with special VFR just a few minutes ago".

He still didn't say the magic words. Fortunately, the visibility happened to increase to 3 miles for a few minutes and he was able to land. I love playing the game.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

The same problem occurs when pilots want a contact approach and don't know how to ask for it.