In the Aviation field, what does 1000 on top mean?

Question

In the Aviation field, what does 1000 on top mean?

Answer 1

Last time I flew into YTZ the tower said to watch out for Mitsubishi traffic at 320 , 1000 on top, it is the flight level above you.

Answer 2

WOW.........

VFR-On-Top

Pilots on IFR flight plans operating in VFR weather

conditions may request VFR-on-top in lieu of an assigned

altitude. This permits them to select an altitude or fl ight level

of their choice (subject to any ATC restrictions).

Pilots desiring to climb through a cloud, haze, smoke, or

other meteorological formation and then either cancel their

IFR fl ight plan or operate VFR-on-top may request a climb

to VFR-on-top. The ATC authorization will contain a top

report (or a statement that no top report is available) and a

request to report upon reaching VFR-on-top. Additionally,

the ATC authorization may contain a clearance limit, routing,

and an alternative clearance if VFR-on-top is not reached by

a specifi ed altitude.

A pilot on an IFR fl ight plan, operating in VFR conditions,

may request to climb/descend in VFR conditions. When

operating in VFR conditions with an ATC authorization to

“maintain VFR-on-top/maintain VFR conditions,” pilots on

IFR fl ight plans must:

1. Fly at the appropriate VFR altitude as prescribed in 14

CFR part 91.

2. Comply with the VFR visibility and distance-fromcloud

criteria in 14 CFR part 91.

3. Comply with instrument fl ight rules applicable to this

fl ight (minimum IFR altitudes, position reporting, radio

communications, course to be fl own, adherence to ATC

clearance, etc.).

Pilots operating on a VFR-on-top clearance should advise

ATC before any altitude change to ensure the exchange of

accurate traffi c information.

ATC authorization to “maintain VFR-on-top” is not intended

to restrict pilots to operating only above an obscuring

meteorological formation (layer). Rather, it permits operation

above, below, between layers, or in areas where there is no

meteorological obstruction. It is imperative pilots understand,

however, that clearance to operate “VFR-on-top/VFR

conditions” does not imply cancellation of the IFR fl ight

plan.

Pilots operating VFR-on-top/VFR conditions may receive

traffi c information from ATC on other pertinent IFR or

VFR aircraft. However, when operating in VFR weather

conditions, it is the pilot’s responsibility to be vigilant to see

and avoid other aircraft.

This clearance must be requested by the pilot on an IFR fl ight

plan. VFR-on-top is not permitted in certain areas, such as

Class A airspace. Consequently, IFR fl ights operating VFRon-

top must avoid such airspace.

VFR Over-The-Top

VFR over-the-top must not be confused with VFR-ontop.

VFR-on-top is an IFR clearance that allows the pilot

to fl y VFR altitudes. VFR over-the-top is strictly a VFR

operation in which the pilot maintains VFR cloud clearance

requirements while operating on top of an undercast layer.

a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and §91.157, no person may operate an aircraft under VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace

Class A Not Applicable Not Applicable.

Class B Clear of Clouds.

Class C 500 feet below 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet horizontal.

Class D 3 500 feet below 1,000 feet abovE 2,000 feet horizontal.

Class E:

Less than 10,000 feet MSL 500 feet below1,000 feet above.

2,000 feet horizontal

At or above 10,000 feet MSL 1,000 feet below.

1,000 feet above.

Class G:

1,200 feet or less above the surface (regardless of MSL altitude)

Day, except as provided in §91.155(b) Clear of clouds.

Night, except as provided in §91.155(b) 500 feet below.

1,000 feet above.2,000 feet horizontal.

More than 1,200 feet above the surface but less than 10,000 feet MSL

Day 500 feet below.1,000 feet above.2,000 feet horizontal.

Night 500 feet below.1,000 feet above.2,000 feet horizontal.

More than 1,200 feet above the surface and at or above 10,000 feet MSL 1,000 feet below.1,000 feet above.

Answer 3

1000 on top is a bit vague to be strictly correct, but it is used, 99% of the time by the pilot to say s/he's 1000 feet above cloud level...

But I have heard it used to describe being 1000 ft above traffic - though usually, that's "1000 above".

VFR (visual) flights are required to keep a certain spacing from cloud - usually 1000 feet, so this would just be a statement by a VFR pilot to say he's at the 1000 ft mark above cloud.

Answer 4

If you're talking about piloting or air traffic control its 1000 feet on top of the other airplane

Answer 5

Bert is right... 1000 on top, means you are VFR(Visual Flight Rules) and youre 1000ft above the cloud tops. The only real reason I can see for using this terminology is to verify to Controllers that you are legally where you should be.

For instance, you file a VFR flight plan, cruising altitude of 5500ft, but the controller knows there is a broken cloud layer at 3000 ft., you are simply letting them know that even though there are clouds between you and the ground, you are currently clear of them and have good visual conditions.

On the flipside, on an IFR flight plan you simply state your current altitude. Whether you are in the clouds/IMC(Instrument Meteoroligical Conditions) is irrelevant since, as an instrument rated pilot, you are permitted to fly in the clouds, with only the instruments to reference.

It can also be used to describe another aircrafts position in relation to yours.

Nowadays, its just old radio lingo...... kinda like "smokeys" on the CB band refers to cops. You rarely hear it from the newcomers, as a more updated and straightforward approach to radio communications is used, in an effort to standardize the system everywhere. In that regard, most flight schools will not teach the VFR On Top phraseology.