When operating in VMC with ATC authorization to maintain VFR-on-top/maintain VFR conditions, pilots on IFR flight plans are required to which of the following?

When operating in VMC with ATC authorization to maintain VFR-on-top/maintain VFR conditions, pilots on IFR flight plans are required to which of the following?

• A. Fly at the appropriate VFR altitude.
• B. Comply with VFR visibility and distance from clouds criteria.
• C. Comply with instrument flight rules applicable to the flight.
• D. All of the above.

Answer: (A)

When ATC clears you to stay in VMC on a VFR-on-top basis, the determining action is to select and remain at the altitude that meets the VFR-on-top criteria. Flying at the appropriate VFR altitude places you in a vertical position where you can maintain visual meteorological conditions relative to the terrain and weather, which is the essence of the VFR-on-top clearance. The need to meet general VFR visibility and cloud-clearance criteria is always true for VFR flight, but the specific instruction tied to this clearance is the altitude choice. Instrument flight rules procedures would apply if you were primarily operating under IFR without a VFR-on-top clearance, so they aren’t the defining action in this scenario.

When ATC clears you to stay in VMC on a VFR-on-top basis, the determining action is to select and remain at the altitude that meets the VFR-on-top criteria. Flying at the appropriate VFR altitude places you in a vertical position where you can maintain visual meteorological conditions relative to the terrain and weather, which is the essence of the VFR-on-top clearance.

The need to meet general VFR visibility and cloud-clearance criteria is always true for VFR flight, but the specific instruction tied to this clearance is the altitude choice. Instrument flight rules procedures would apply if you were primarily operating under IFR without a VFR-on-top clearance, so they aren’t the defining action in this scenario.