Obviously I was misunderstood, in my question I was talking about "VFR" to VFR on top.  Back in the late 1950's, as a tower operator at an Air Force base in Indiana, Indianapolis Center frequently used this clearance for Military scrambles when weather conditions permitted, for obvious reasons (they didn't have to clear any airspace for the scramble).  I remember one occasion where an Air Force pilot, after having been given this clearance, flew through a solid layer (at a fairly high altitude) and was busted for doing so.

Hugh

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To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:25:25 -0500
From: ralphlove@stanfordalumni.org
Subject: [LML] Re: IFR to VFR on top

When you ask for an IFR clearance, they never ask if you are IFR qualified and current. They just give you the clearance. The same is true with IFR to VFR on top, but legally you better be qualified and current

Pink Panfher

Ralph Love

On Jan 22, 2013, at 9:24 AM, "Skip Slater" <skipslater@verizon.net> wrote:

"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.

 

Skip