BE58 pilot described confusion regarding VFR on top status with approach controller at day TRACON.

Attributes
ACN	705187
Time
Date	200607
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : day.airport
State Reference	OH
Altitude	msl single value : 4500
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : day.tracon
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Baron 58/58TC
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : cfi pilot : atp pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 7317 flight time type : 4537
ASRS Report	705187
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : anomaly accepted
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew
Supplementary
Problem Areas	ATC Human Performance
Primary Problem	ATC Human Performance

Narrative:

I was on VFR on top IFR clearance 9500 ft MSL. This was given by chicago approach and ZAU had accepted the clearance. The initial altitude was 9000 ft. A direct course to destination would require 11000 ft. I requested the IFR VFR on top clearance instead of climbing to 11000 ft. ZAU; south bend approach; fort wayne approach each understood the IFR clearance as VFR on top. A controller on dayton approach did not understand the clearance as IFR. I expressed disagreement and proceeded as mentioned. He would not state his initials but read from 7110.65R as his supervisor instructed and that I could call the supervisor. I refer to 7110.65R; 7-3-1; aim ATC 4-4-7; and air traffic procedures 5-5-13.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BE58 PLT DESCRIBED CONFUSION REGARDING VFR ON TOP STATUS WITH APCH CTLR AT DAY TRACON.

Narrative: I WAS ON VFR ON TOP IFR CLRNC 9500 FT MSL. THIS WAS GIVEN BY CHICAGO APCH AND ZAU HAD ACCEPTED THE CLRNC. THE INITIAL ALT WAS 9000 FT. A DIRECT COURSE TO DEST WOULD REQUIRE 11000 FT. I REQUESTED THE IFR VFR ON TOP CLRNC INSTEAD OF CLBING TO 11000 FT. ZAU; SOUTH BEND APCH; FORT WAYNE APCH EACH UNDERSTOOD THE IFR CLRNC AS VFR ON TOP. A CTLR ON DAYTON APCH DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE CLRNC AS IFR. I EXPRESSED DISAGREEMENT AND PROCEEDED AS MENTIONED. HE WOULD NOT STATE HIS INITIALS BUT READ FROM 7110.65R AS HIS SUPVR INSTRUCTED AND THAT I COULD CALL THE SUPVR. I REFER TO 7110.65R; 7-3-1; AIM ATC 4-4-7; AND AIR TFC PROCS 5-5-13.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.