In what airspace will ATC not authorize VFR-on-top?
ATC will not authorize VFR or VFR-on-top operations in Class A airspace.
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VFR-on-Top Restrictions:
VFR-on-top is not permitted in certain airspace areas, such as Class A airspace, certain restricted areas, etc. Consequently, IFR flights operating VFR-on-top will avoid such airspace.
If unable to maintain VFR, an IFR clearance must be requred.
A VFR-On-Top clearance has its limitations. Here are a few you need to follow: Pilots may not fly below minimum en route IFR altitudes because you could crash into the terrain. Minimum en route altitudes exist regardless of IFR or VFR weather conditions and weather assigned a specific altitude or VFR conditions on top.
An aircraft must maintain an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
ATC may not authorize VFR-on-top/VFR conditions operations unless the pilot requests the VFR operation or a clearance to operate in VFR conditions will result in noise abatement benefits where part of the IFR departure route does not conform to an FAA approved noise abatement route or altitude.
In short, the real purpose of Class F is to allow flights to remain IFR in uncontrolled environments. Since this is a sort of mix between Class E and Class G airspace, there is no Class F inside the United States.
Both Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic can operate within Class C airspace provided they meet the operational requirements and are within weather minimums for their flight rules.
Except as provided in 14 CFR Section 91.157, Special VFR Weather Minimums, no person may operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet. (See 14 CFR Section 91.155(c).)
Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace all have VFR weather minimums, but Class A is different. Since VFR travel, including SVFR, is not allowed in Class A airspace, there are no weather minimums to be aware of. All Class A flights are flown under ATC control and using instruments.
Do they need some special clearance? Yes, you can fly VFR over the top of a cloud deck as long as you can maintain 1,000 ft.above the clouds. No clearance is necessary, however you still are flying VFR and must see and avoid other aircraft.
In some countries, VFR flight is permitted at night, and is known as night VFR. This is generally permitted only under more restrictive conditions, such as maintaining minimum safe altitudes, and may require additional training as a pilot at night may not be able to see and avoid obstacles.
Why Do Pilots Prefer IFR Over VFR? IFR provides pilots with greater flexibility when it comes to controlled airspace, weather conditions, and career opportunities.
VFR aircraft also must maintain a horizontal distance of 1sm from clouds while operating in Class E at and above 10,000ft. Below 10,000ft, the increase in TAS is reduced due to the lower altitudes. Therefore, the minimum forward flight visibility can be reduced from 5sm to 3sm.
The VFR Cruising Altitude rule does not apply below 3,000 feet AGL. There are some altitudes, however, that pilots seem to choose for level flight. Close to sea level they are 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500. They are easy to read and remember on an altimeter.