AIM DECODED

5-5-6. Vectors

By Chris Palmer, 2x Master Aviation Educator · Gold Seal CFI · Updated May 21, 2026

AIM 5-5-6 All of Chapter 5 →

AIM Text

  1. Pilot.
    1. Promptly complies with headings and altitudes assigned to you by the controller.
    2. Questions any assigned heading or altitude believed to be incorrect.
    3. If operating VFR and compliance with any radar vector or altitude would cause a violation of any CFR, advises ATC and obtains a revised clearance or instructions.
  2. Controller.
    1. Vectors aircraft in Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace:
      1. For separation.
      2. For noise abatement.
      3. To obtain an operational advantage for the pilot or controller.
    2. Vectors aircraft in Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, and Class G airspace when requested by the pilot.
    3. Except where authorized for radar approaches, radar departures, special VFR, or when operating in accordance with vectors below minimum altitude procedures, vector IFR aircraft at or above minimum vectoring altitudes.
    4. May vector aircraft off assigned procedures. When published altitude or speed restrictions are included, controllers must assign an altitude, or if necessary, a speed.
    5. May vector VFR aircraft, not at an ATC assigned altitude, at any altitude. In these cases, terrain separation is the pilot's responsibility.

Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 5-5-6.

Research Notes

AIM 5-5-6 covers VFR-on-Top — the IFR clearance variant that allows the pilot to operate VFR while remaining on an IFR clearance.

What VFR-on-Top is: The pilot operates at any appropriate VFR altitude above an underlying cloud layer (or in clear air), maintaining VFR cloud clearance per § 91.155, while still being on an IFR flight plan and receiving ATC separation services.

When useful:

  • Flying over a low cloud deck where IFR descent through the layer is undesired
  • Picking favorable altitudes for winds without filing each change
  • Maintaining IFR "insurance" — if you need to descend into clouds, you have the clearance

Pilot's obligations:

  • Maintain VFR cloud clearance per § 91.155
  • Use IFR cruising altitudes per § 91.179 (odd/even rule)
  • Maintain communication with ATC
  • Comply with clearance amendments

Reference: § 91.155; § 91.179; AIM 5-5-6.

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