Is it legal to fly VFR above clouds?

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. The one problem is finding a hole large enough to descent through and still maintain VFR cloud separation.



People Also Ask

VFR over-the-top can be a very useful tool to get above a cloud layer instead of flying in haze or restricted visibility below the clouds. But remember that you have to come back down at some point. Part 91 specifies cloud clearances below 10,000 feet MSL as 500 feet under, 1000 feet over, and 2000 feet horizontal.

MORE DETAILS

No person may operate an aircraft under basic VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace.

MORE DETAILS

Well, as most of you under the FARs are aware—not to say used to—in the United States it is perfectly legal to fly VFR without any visual contact with the ground. As long as you maintain the minimum VFR requirements regarding visibility and cloud clearances, you are good to go—all you need is a natural horizon.

MORE DETAILS

Most commercial airlines fly above much of the clouds, though they do still have to fly through them to get in and out of the airports. A typical commercial jet has a cruising altitude of around six to seven miles (nine to 11 km) above sea level.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

You can only conduct special VFR operations in controlled airspace below 10,000 MSL at an airport that has airspace extending down to the surface. Many Class C and B airports (listed in FAR 91) don't accommodate Special VFR clearances for IFR traffic separation reasons.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The biggest reason for flying at higher altitudes lies in fuel efficiency. The thin air creates less drag on the aircraft, which means the plane can use less fuel in order to maintain speed. Less wind resistance, more power, less effort, so to speak.

MORE DETAILS

An aircraft must maintain an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS