> Posted for "Jim Auman" :
>
> You cannot be above Flight level 180 (in Controlled Airspace) unless you are
> on an IFR flight plan. Controlled airspace is Class A airspace.
Well, not exactly. All classes of airspace are controlled airspace except Class G. You only have to be on an IFR flight plan in Class A airspace (formerly called Positive Controlled Airspace or PCA). Controlled airspace is where we as air traffic controllers will provide service for IFR aircraft including terrain avoidance (and the VFR cloud separation minimums are different). As a side note, Class A airspace ends at FL600. I've had many U2's, and SR71's above FL600, cancel IFR and go VFR, or OTP. Seems a little strange but quite legal.
The original meaning of "VFR" for flight testing of experimental airplanes meant VFR weather conditions. Somewhere along the line it apparently has been re-interpreted by some FISDO's as VFR flight rules, meaning non IFR, non class A airspace.
OK, on a side note.......when you are talking to tower or approach control and will be landing at a towered airport within that approach control, you need to state that you are an experimental. Once you are in the enroute environment, it is not required or necessary to state that you are experimental. When you are talking to the enroute guys, just call yourself a Lancair (or November). The best way to handle this is when you file your flight plan, just put experimental in remarks. That way the information is automated to the guys who need that information (the ones at the tower). The enroute guys could care less, and don't need to know that you are an experimental. It's more important to know what type of aircraft you are. Use the right type designator when you file, or tell the controller what type aircraft you are too. LNC2, LNC4, LNCE, etc.
Ron Galbraith
LNCE-N5ES MasterCFI(27 years), air traffic controller (22 years)
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