VFR Over-The-Top Rating

Flying VFR Over-The-Top (OTT) means flying with visual reference to a layer of cloud instead of the earth's surface. This type of VFR flying has many advantages, but it also presents many challenges: instrument flying, radio navigation, weather reports and forecasts. The flight training for the VFR OTT rating includes the instrument flying elements of the commercial license, and requires a total of 15 hours Instrument Training. Any instrument training time gained on the Private Pilot or Night Rating course can be credited.

The VFR OTT rating can be applied to a Private Pilot License-Airplanes, and to Private, Commercial, and Airline Transport Pilot License-Helicopter. Those holding a Commercial Pilot License-Airplanes, or an Instrument Rating will automatically be granted the VFR OTT privilege.

The ground portion of the training for the rating will include a general review of Canadian Airspace, weather requirements for VFR OTT flight, interpreting and applying weather products, instrument flying techniques, operation of ADF, VOR and GPS navigation systems.

The rating is awarded by Transport Canada on the recommendation of the Instructor, who must certify that all VFR-OTT requirements have been met. There is no flight or ground exam.