Order 7110.65P, Air Traffic Control, with changes

8/5/047110.65P CHG 1Section 3. VFR-on-top7−3−1. VFR-ON-TOPa. You may clear an aircraft to maintain“VFR-on-top” if the pilot of an aircraft on an IFRflight plan requests the clearance.PHRASEOLOGY−MAINTAIN VFR-ON-TOP.NOTE−1. When an aircraft has been cleared to maintain“VFR-on-top,” the pilot is responsible to fly at anappropriate VFR altitude, comply with VFR visibility anddistance from cloud criteria, and to be vigilant so as to seeand avoid other aircraft. The pilot is also responsible tocomply with instrument flight rules applicable to the flight(e.g., adherence to ATC clearances).2. Although standard IFR separation is not applied,controllers shall continue to provide traffic advisories andsafety alerts, and apply merging target procedures toaircraft operating VFR-on-top.REFERENCE−FAAO 7110.65, Safety Alert, Para 2−1−6.FAAO 7110.65, Traffic Advisories, Para 2−1−21.FAAO 7110.65, Merging Target Procedures, Para 5−1−8.FAAO 7110.65, Class A Airspace Restrictions, Para 7−1−1.AIM, VFR−on−top, Para 5−5−13.14 CFR Section 91.157, Special VFR Weather Minimums.14 CFR Section 91.159, VFR Cruising Altitude or Flight Level.b. You may clear an aircraft to climb throughclouds, smoke, haze, or other meteorologicalformations and then to maintain “VFR-on-top” if thefollowing conditions are met:1. The pilot requests the clearance.2. You inform the pilot of the reported height ofthe tops of the meteorological formation, or3. You inform the pilot that no top report isavailable.4. When necessary, you ensure separation fromall other traffic for which you have separationresponsibility by issuing an alternative clearance.5. When an aircraft is climbing to and reportsreaching “VFR-on-top,” reclear the aircraft tomaintain “VFR-on-top.”PHRASEOLOGY−CLIMB TO AND REPORT REACHING VFR-ON-TOP,andTOPS REPORTED (altitude),orNO TOPS REPORTS.IF NOT ON TOP AT (altitude), MAINTAIN (altitude), ANDADVISE.MAINTAIN VFR-ON-TOP.c. Do not clear an aircraft to maintain “VFR-ontop”between sunset and sunrise to separate holdingaircraft from each other or from en route aircraftunless restrictions are applied to ensure theappropriate IFR vertical separation.PHRASEOLOGY−MAINTAIN VFR-ON-TOP AT OR ABOVE/BELOW/BETWEEN (altitudes).EXAMPLE−“Maintain VFR-on-top at or above one three thousand fivehundred.”“Maintain VFR-on-top at or below one two thousand fivehundred.”“Maintain VFR-on-top at or between six thousand and onezero thousand.”d. When, in your judgment, there is reason tobelieve that flight in VFR conditions may becomeimpractical, issue an alternative clearance which willensure separation from all other aircraft for whichyou have separation responsibility.PHRASEOLOGY−IF UNABLE, (alternative procedure), AND ADVISE.REFERENCE−FAAO 7110.65, VFR-on-top, Para 9−4−3.VFR-on−top7−3−1