lionel wrote:
Peter, VFR being forbidden FL200 and above is an ICAO standard and is codified in the EU in SERA.5005(d)(2). Combined with the rule that VFR cruises at levels that are odd multiples of 500 ft means max FL195.
Spot on, however e. g. in Germany you can get excemtion in advance (via e-mail, not by ATC). I’ve done FL250 VFR (ATC doesnt want you at odd levels up there) once for testing, but that is a pretty hostile altitude at least for non pressurized…
Can anyone think of WHY VFR is banned in this airspace?
Peter wrote:
Can anyone think of WHY VFR is banned in this airspace?
I suspect that this is because this is getting into the altitudes where noticeable amount of the cruising traffic is (twin turboprops will be around FL250), so adding some VFR traffic might add unpredictable amount of extra workload for the controllers.
lionel wrote:
Peter, VFR being forbidden FL200 and above is an ICAO standard and is codified in the EU in SERA.5005(d)(2).
It’s not actually “forbidden”, but subject to special arrangements. E.g. soaring in mountain waves according to VFR can be done above FL195 in a reserved airspace sector.
