VFR OTP question

[RPJ]

Scenario;

I file a IFR flight plan and I put OTP in the remarks section, after clearing cloud tops I inform ATC that I am on top and would like to cancel IFR and revert to VFR flight following to my destination. Would the controller immediately cancel my IFR plan or would I have to wait until the controller is ready to cancel? Should I put that I want VFR flight following after OTP in the remarks section or should I just wait until I am in the air on top to ask for flight following?


-Thanks
RJ

[ATC RET 2003]

In the scenario you describe, I would imagine that the controller would immediately accept your IFR cancellation as soon as you stated your desire to do so.

Personally, I found that items in the remarks section were often useful and, if I was not able to clearly and completely understand your intentions by reading them, I could always ask you for clarification. I am in favor of including remarks as you described.

[BajtheJino]

As a one who has never used VFR on Top op's what's the upside of doing this?

[Keebler]

Better routing is a possibility since you could go direct. I've used it from time to time in order to get above the overcast to practice manuevers and such. You can usually request a block altitude within a radius of some fix if the controllers and airspace isn't particularly busy. Over The Top operations are prohibited in class A.

The AIM says the pilot must request it on the IFR flight plan, but I've done it enroute before. Was I out of line? ATC has never had a problem with it.

Example: I filed IFR to an intersection then to an airport. Once on top enroute to the intersection, I reported VMC and aske for VFR On Top for manuevering and asked them to clear me a one thousand foot block within 5nm of the intersection for 15 minutes. No problem. Once done I asked for vectors for the ILS at my destination. The only thing I had put in my remarks section was "manuevering over TEYUS". Did I do this correctly???

[DE727UPS]

"I inform ATC that I am on top and would like to cancel IFR"

If you ask to cancel IFR, you'll get your IFR canceled.

If you want flight following next, which is a great idea, just say "561DE is in VFR conditions, can maintain VFR, would like to cancel IFR and get flight following"

Remember, VFR on top is not the same as flight following. With an OTP clearance, you're still on an IFR flight plan. You, and ATC, just get to waive a few rules, which can make things easier for both the pilot and the controller.

One trick with OTP used to be flying over the Cascade mountains, SEA to EAT, on V120. The MEA is 12,000. Takes a while to get up there in a 172. Asking for 9.5K or 10.5K, on top conditions, will save you the climb. Now, I believe it's technically wrong to do OTP and "bust" the MEA, but I've had ATC do it on this route before. They want to get on the tape "verify you have the terrain in sight", but once they do, that gives them the warm fuzzies and the seem to not care.

[milski]

Instead of putting it in the remarks, you can put OTP or OTP/65 or other appropriate VFR-on-top altitude in the altitude box of your flight plan. You'll get your normal IFR clearance and ATC will ask you to report on top. Once there you can either proceed VFR-on-top or cancel and ask for flight following.