What reports are required for a flight operating on an IFR clearance specifying VFR-on-Top in a nonradar environment?

What reports are required for a flight operating on an IFR clearance specifying VFR-on-Top in a nonradar environment?

• A. No reports required
• B. The same reports that are required for any IFR flight
• C. All reports except vacating altitudes
• D. Only weather reports

Answer: (B)

When you’re operating under an IFR clearance, flying on top of the weather doesn’t remove IFR reporting duties. Even in a nonradar environment, you remain an IFR flight and ATC relies on you to provide the standard position and clearance-related reports to stay aware of where you are and what you’re doing. So you must make the same reports as for any IFR flight: initial position/clearance report and subsequent position reports at specified points or intervals, reports when you change altitude or route, reports when leaving or entering controlled airspace or switching control facilities, and any reports needed if you cannot comply with a clearance or have changes in flight status. Weather information is important, but it isn’t the sole report you’re required to give; the core requirement is the regular IFR position/clearance reporting.

When you’re operating under an IFR clearance, flying on top of the weather doesn’t remove IFR reporting duties. Even in a nonradar environment, you remain an IFR flight and ATC relies on you to provide the standard position and clearance-related reports to stay aware of where you are and what you’re doing.

So you must make the same reports as for any IFR flight: initial position/clearance report and subsequent position reports at specified points or intervals, reports when you change altitude or route, reports when leaving or entering controlled airspace or switching control facilities, and any reports needed if you cannot comply with a clearance or have changes in flight status. Weather information is important, but it isn’t the sole report you’re required to give; the core requirement is the regular IFR position/clearance reporting.