How useful is the VFR OTT rating?

highupabove · Post by **highupabove** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:46 pm

Hey everyone,

I have been thinking about getting the VFR OTT rating. Currently hold a plan PPL. I would like to increase my instrument proficiency overall, and I like the challenge of more precise radio navigation. The aircraft I fly doesn't have a certified GPS.

Now, aside of the joys of having another rating, is there any actual practical value of it? The skills are always good to have as a means of getting yourself out of a bad situation. But for everyday cross-country flying, do you ever find yourself in VFR OTT situations?

Happy to hear your thoughts and experiences!

JasonE · Post by **JasonE** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:56 pm

I've had it for 5 years and used it once. I only did it because I just needed another 2 hours of instrument time and was due for 2 year currency.

Schooner69A · Post by **Schooner69A** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 1:23 pm

It's a good tool to have.

Case in point:

Thunder Bay VFR; Sudbury VFR; low cloud moving inland all along Lake Superior.

Fredericton VFR; Halifax VFR; low cloud/fog in between.

Vernon VFR; Springbank VFR; broken cloud and some obscuration along parts of VFR route.

In each of those cases, a VFR climb to above cloud, cruise in VMC conditions, a VFR descent to destination.

A good tool to have...

photofly · Post by **photofly** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 2:04 pm

I think it’s completely pointless.

digits_ · Post by **digits_** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 2:09 pm

highupabove wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:46 pm Hey everyone,

I have been thinking about getting the VFR OTT rating. Currently hold a plan PPL. I would like to increase my instrument proficiency overall, and I like the challenge of more precise radio navigation. The aircraft I fly doesn't have a certified GPS.

Now, aside of the joys of having another rating, is there any actual practical value of it? The skills are always good to have as a means of getting yourself out of a bad situation. But for everyday cross-country flying, do you ever find yourself in VFR OTT situations?

Happy to hear your thoughts and experiences!

I had it happen a couple of times where I was (planned) OTT, or where I left with a forecasted scattered layer that turned into a broken/overcast situation en route.

I'm not sure if spending extra money on it would be valueable, but if you can combine it with something else, why not. You'll likely not use it much though.

C-GKNT · Post by **C-GKNT** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 3:52 pm

Personally, I went straight for the instrument rating. Just my opinion but a VFR OTT can put you into some ugly situations.

However, it does depend somewhat on what/where you fly. The greater the speed/range of what you fly, the more useful it can be.

rookiepilot · Post by **rookiepilot** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 4:44 pm

C-GKNT wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 3:52 pm Personally, I went straight for the instrument rating. Just my opinion but a VFR OTT can put you into some ugly situations.

However, it does depend somewhat on what/where you fly. The greater the speed/range of what you fly, the more useful it can be.

+1

CpnCrunch · Post by **CpnCrunch** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 4:50 pm

It's useful for flying over fog or a marine layer. Just make sure you're skeptical about weather forecasts, and be able to either turn back to your origin or land somewhere you know will be clear or few clouds.

It's much simpler to get than the instrument rating, so if you're not in a hurry to get your instrument rating, it can be a stepping stone.

sunk · Post by **sunk** » Sun Jun 27, 2021 7:15 am

All fun and games until the engine quits and you need to come down through the fog.

AirFrame · Post by **AirFrame** » Sun Jun 27, 2021 7:22 am

Apart from the risk of an engine failure, VFR OTT is no different than VFR Flight over an unfamiliar, featureless territory.

rookiepilot · Post by **rookiepilot** » Sun Jun 27, 2021 7:29 am

Be careful flying between layers. They can subtly blend together….

redlaser · Post by **redlaser** » Sun Jun 27, 2021 8:05 am

I did numerious flights over the clouds, in the winter time you will have low clouds and VFR on top is the way to go, just make sure your destination airport weather is ok for a descent out of clouds, when flying VFR on top its also good to have flight following especially in high density areas, in early mornings you will have fog and low clouds that usually dissipate as the sun burns through , so doing a four hour flight on top will enable you to leave earlier, Remember pilots must rely on their instruments when flying between layers, otw loss of control can occur, being instrument proficient is a must.

broken_slinky · Post by **broken_slinky** » Mon Jun 28, 2021 5:13 am

I use OTT all the time, especially in Southern Ontario. Never fails that there is a stretch of clouds over London. Makes for a smoother flight going over rather than under them.

photofly · Post by **photofly** » Mon Jun 28, 2021 5:20 am

Do you verify the rather absurd weather forecast requirements to use the VFR-OTT rating before you depart to fly over the top?

northernpilot2 · Post by **northernpilot2** » Mon Jun 28, 2021 6:09 am

Just get your IFR rating if you can. No headaches after, fly in cloud all day long.

JasonE · Post by **JasonE** » Mon Jun 28, 2021 11:25 am

northernpilot2 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 6:09 am Just get your IFR rating if you can. No headaches after, fly in cloud all day long.

Assuming your aircraft is IFR! I could see in some areas OTT could be useful more than others for VFR guys.

Schooner69A · Post by **Schooner69A** » Mon Jun 28, 2021 12:58 pm

Asking "How useful is the VFR OTT rating" is like asking "How useful is the instrument rating?" In either case, if you can't think of a use for it in your aviation career, there's probably no sense in pursuing it.

Consider my case: now retired, it doesn't make economic sense to maintain my IR; although I could do so, my aircraft doesn't qualify for IFR flight. However, it is satisfactory for VFR OTT.

And there is a periodic requirement for it, so it's a handy qualification to possess...

ghazanhaider · Post by **ghazanhaider** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:07 am

It is useful for the instrument hours it provides.

I ended up in IMC after my PPL and the 5 hours instrument time of PPL saved me. Years later, I got the night rating and realized I need more instrument time so I'm going for my IR. If it gets delayed, I'll do the VFR OTT or just some extra instrument dual hours.

But if you have the time, IR is the ultimate ticket. The caveat for any non-day-vfr type flying is to remain proficient in it.

JasonE · Post by **JasonE** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 9:20 am

The closest I've come to IMC is the only time I used my OTT rating. I ended up between layers that were converging at one point. I spent 2 hours on instruments with no hole for a descent. Boy did it fee good to reach the end of the cloud!

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