"VFR to VFR-on-top, where you wanted the benefits of an IFR clearance but some of the freedom of VFR conditions, was a common clearance used in military scrambles back when I was a military controller. Is this clearance still available today?"

 

All I can tell you is that I've not had a problem getting one when I needed it.  I've gotten them from for a couple of departures from Orange County and Santa Barbara airports when they've had marine layers on the coast.  With tops around 2000' and CAVU conditions just a few miles inland, it's a good option.  I just request it from clearance delivery and they give me an IFR departure with a clearance limit.   Once I'm on top and am leaving their Class C, I just cancel and proceed VFR.

 

When you think about it, it's really no different than flying somewhere VFR and finding the weather has closed in at your destination.  You call approach, request an IFR clearance to the airport and they give you one.  Not something you'd normally do, but it is an option.

 

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