VFR over-the-top (OTT) minima & clearance
VFR OTT (VFR over-the-top, CAR 101.01(1)): day VFR flight that climbs in VMC, flies en route above inclement weather, descends in VMC (AC 100-001 glossary).
- No surface visual reference needed (CAR 602.116, despite CARs 602.114(a), 602.115(a)); ordinary VFR needs it in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
- Only in cruise portion of the flight, only by day, with four conditions met.
Four conditions (CAR 602.116(a)-(d)):
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Vertical distance from cloud | At least 1,000 ft |
| Between two cloud layers | Layers at least 5,000 ft apart vertically |
| Flight visibility at cruising altitude | At least 5 SM |
| Destination forecast: cloud | No broken, overcast, or obscured layer lower than 3,000 ft above planned flight altitude |
| Destination forecast: ground visibility | 5 SM or greater |
| Destination forecast: weather | No thunderstorms or precipitation |
Destination-forecast assessment window (keyed to ETA):
| Source | Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TAF available | 1 hr before to 2 hr after ETA | Worst forecast condition, plus any TEMPO, BECMG, or PROB reference |
| No TAF | 1 hr before to 3 hr after ETA | Area forecast (FA) used instead |
ATC clearance or FSS notice by airspace crossed (NAV CANADA VFR Phraseology):
| OTT track crosses | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Control zone or terminal control area | ATC clearance: request "REQUEST VFR OVER THE TOP." |
| MF zone | Inform FSS of VFR OTT operation |
Trap: OTT minima all stricter than ordinary VFR (1,000 ft vs 500 ft cloud clearance, 5 SM vs 3/2/1 SM flight visibility), yet OTT still day-only. Asking ATC clearance to cross an MF zone: only inform FSS.
References
- CARs 602.116
- CARs 602.114(a), 602.115(a)
- CAR 101.01(1)
- AC 100-001 glossary, VFR over-the-top
- TC AIM RAC 2.7.4
- NAV CANADA VFR Phraseology, VFR Over-The-Top