VFR on top in permit aircraft
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam
The answer is: "Unless there is a specific restriction in the PTF (e.g. no flight without sight of surface allowed) for your aircraft, it doesn't matter whether you have a Permit or CofA aircraft."
IF your license allows it (a plain PPL doesn't, but PPL+IMC does, as does PPL+IR) and IF the airspace allows it (and that depends on the airspace class and the altitude) you can fly VFR-on-top.
IF your license allows it (a plain PPL doesn't, but PPL+IMC does, as does PPL+IR) and IF the airspace allows it (and that depends on the airspace class and the altitude) you can fly VFR-on-top.
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,402
Likes: 858
From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
foxmoth, see the ANO!
This is the relevant extract from the PPL(A) privileges:
This is the relevant extract from the PPL(A) privileges:
The holder may not....
.....unless the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes), fly as pilot in command of such an aeroplane—
(i) on a flight outside controlled airspace if the flight visibility is less than three km;
(ii) on a special VFR flight in a control zone in a flight visibility of less than 10 km
except on a route or in an aerodrome traffic zone notified for the purpose of this subparagraph;or
(iii) out of sight of the surface;
.....unless the licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes), fly as pilot in command of such an aeroplane—
(i) on a flight outside controlled airspace if the flight visibility is less than three km;
(ii) on a special VFR flight in a control zone in a flight visibility of less than 10 km
except on a route or in an aerodrome traffic zone notified for the purpose of this subparagraph;or
(iii) out of sight of the surface;
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 1
From: United Kingdom
I realise that this goes against everything that PPRuNe stands for but could we, for once, answer the original question?
Can we all agree that the answer to this specific question is - YES?
Permit aircraft are legal to flay in daytime VMC. But if the pilot was suitably qualified, is it legal to fly a permit aircraft in VMC on top conditions?
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 1
From: United Kingdom
Perhaps I misjudged the context of the original question - I assumed that it related to the relative legality of 'VMC on top' in an aircraft operating under a Permit to Fly as opposed to an aircraft with a Certificate of Airworthiness. My contention is simply that it is as legal to fly 'VMC on top' in the one as in the other, all other considerations being equal.
Having now understood the degree of pedantry applied to postings on this thread, I undertake to word my response more concisely in the future, regardless of the wasted bandwidth.
Having now understood the degree of pedantry applied to postings on this thread, I undertake to word my response more concisely in the future, regardless of the wasted bandwidth.
