A Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Over the Top Rating allows the holder of a Private Pilot License (PPL) to experience the world above the clouds - a world not otherwise available with a PPL only. The VFR Over the Top Rating is designed to offer the Private Pilot greater flexibility in cross-country travel, yet ensuring VFR aircraft can still maintain visual separation from other aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). For those going onwards to their Commercial Pilot License, the VFR OTT translates to yet more flexibility as a pilot.

Prerequisites: An applicant must hold a valid Private Pilot License, issued in Canada or by a contracting state, prior to commencing VFR Over the Top training.

Knowledge: No ground school is required. Ground-briefings are incorporated
 

around flight training to satisfy knowledge requirements.

Experience: The VFR Over the Top Rating consists of 15 hours of flight time. The course starts under the hood reviewing basic aircraft handling including emergency procedure training and pilot navigation.

Skill: There is no flight test required for this rating. VFR OTT is obtained by meeting the requirements of a flight instructor.