On Sat, 3 Dec 2005 20:33:09 -0600, "Jim Macklin"
wrote in
DAskf.11546$QW2.9995@dukeread08::

Broken layer is effectively solid ceiling.

While it is true that:

http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/AIM/Chap7/aim0701.html
a. Ceiling, by definition in the CFRs and as used in aviation
weather reports and forecasts, is the height above ground (or
water) level of the lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomenon
that is reported as "broken," "overcast," or "obscuration,"

Given the fact that:

Broken is the term used to describe a layer of clouds that
is 5/8s to 7/8s of clouds.

Given the usual lack of uniformity in hole size, I would characterize
a thin broken cloud layer as often providing holes adequate to meet
the SVFR 'clear of clouds' requirement when using them traverse the
layer.