VFR to FL180??
 

Anyone know why we don't go VFR to FL180?? I cannot think of any reason why we shouldn't be doing that instead of restricting ourselves to 12'500!! Anyone from TC have an answer??

You can do "controlled" VFR from 12,500' up to 17,500', I beleive.

Controled VFR is authorised in Canada to 17 500ft. You can find the specific in your AIP under the RAC section (RAC 5.6) but basically you need a CVFR flight plan, a CVFR clearance and be able to navigated as if you were flying IFR and remain VFR in VMC. The only benefit is that one needs no IFR qualification.

Cheers.

D

I was thinking that you would need VMC up to FL 180 to do it... not really practical if you asked me.

its my understanding that you can fly up to FL180 VFR if you're in class G. ie//up north

We used to go CVFR in the 1900D as we did not have an OPS SPEC at the time to go no alternate IFR. By going CVFR we could get more weight aboard the aircraft due to the fact we would have VFR fuel requirements! This worked out great from an operational standpoint.

Controlled VFR still doesn't make much sense to me as in the US you can be normal VFR up to FL180. Sure you need the 02 requirements but I'm sure there must be loads of folks out there that would benefit from uncontrolled VFR to FL180 and have the ability to do it.

Only ever filed CVFR the once, at 12,500' with a Beaver on floats. If you think it didn't take awhile to get there....
On the up side I was 1:45 for a trip of 320 sm, so I had about an 80kt tail wind.

Controlled VFR : A flight conducted under visual flight rules within Class B airspace and in accordance with an ATC clearance.

(ATC Manops Definitions)