What does VFR over the top mean, and is an IFR flight plan required?

• A. Operating VFR over the top means above the undercast and does not require an IFR flight plan
• B. Operating VFR over the top means below the cloud in VFR
• C. It requires an IFR flight plan
• D. It is limited to night operations

Answer: (A)

VFR over the top means flying above a solid cloud deck (the undercast) while staying in visual meteorological conditions, so you can see the ground and navigate by sight rather than instruments. Because you’re operating in VMC and not relying on the airplane’s IFR clearance, you do not need an IFR flight plan for this kind of flight.

This approach isn’t about being below the clouds, and it isn’t restricted to night operations. You’d file IFR only if you intended to operate under IFR or if weather conditions forced you into IMC and you chose to switch to an IFR flight plan.