Tue Oct 26, 2010 1:23 am
#907262
1. Were you a student or qualified?
Qualified
2. Were you current or rusty?
Current
3. Was it in your own/group aircraft or rented/school?
Rented aircraft
4. Were you familiar with the aircraft?
Yes
5. Were you using a nav aid?
GPS
6. If so which navaid (e.g. VOR, NDB, GPS)?
GPS
7. Were you aware of the airspace you bust?
Yes
8. Was it in a complex airspace area?
Yes
9. How close to your home airport was the airspace?
Within 20NM
10. Only if you wish, say which airspace you bust.
Phoenix Class B. The controller didn't think I bust it but I'm sure that I did.
11. Why do you think it happened?
Corner of airspace where there are 3 1000ft steps in the base of the Class B. The area I was in had a 4000ft base, then my route cut a corner with a 5000ft Base and then into an area with a 6000ft Base. Straight on my route and about 3 miles from the 4000ft boundary was a 3900ft hill. I started my climb as I approached the 'corner' thinking I was going to be into the 5000ft area by the time I passed 4000ft, was distracted by the controller giving me a new squawk code and when I looked at the altimeter again I was at 4200' with about a mile to run before the boundary. I immediately stopped the climb and called but the controller said my Mode C indicated 3900ft. I had the correct QNH set so the aircraft's Transponder saved me from a formal 'bust'.
12. Any other comment that might help the rest of us.
I sat down after the flight and debriefed myself ruthlessly. I have done this particular climb about 7 or 8 times in the last few weeks and was used to it. I was too busy trying to fly the radio and reset my transponder in a busy RT environment to wonder what the aircraft was doing. The fact that I was receiving a radar service and speaking to the controller probably counted in my favour. I also didn't have to go over the hill - I could just as easily have gone around it but the direct route took me over it. It is of course entirely possible that my transponder was reading correctly and that the controller did me a favour by telling me I hadn't infringed because I was receiving a service and confessed to my apparent sin immediately.
Qualified
2. Were you current or rusty?
Current
3. Was it in your own/group aircraft or rented/school?
Rented aircraft
4. Were you familiar with the aircraft?
Yes
5. Were you using a nav aid?
GPS
6. If so which navaid (e.g. VOR, NDB, GPS)?
GPS
7. Were you aware of the airspace you bust?
Yes
8. Was it in a complex airspace area?
Yes
9. How close to your home airport was the airspace?
Within 20NM
10. Only if you wish, say which airspace you bust.
Phoenix Class B. The controller didn't think I bust it but I'm sure that I did.
11. Why do you think it happened?
Corner of airspace where there are 3 1000ft steps in the base of the Class B. The area I was in had a 4000ft base, then my route cut a corner with a 5000ft Base and then into an area with a 6000ft Base. Straight on my route and about 3 miles from the 4000ft boundary was a 3900ft hill. I started my climb as I approached the 'corner' thinking I was going to be into the 5000ft area by the time I passed 4000ft, was distracted by the controller giving me a new squawk code and when I looked at the altimeter again I was at 4200' with about a mile to run before the boundary. I immediately stopped the climb and called but the controller said my Mode C indicated 3900ft. I had the correct QNH set so the aircraft's Transponder saved me from a formal 'bust'.
12. Any other comment that might help the rest of us.
I sat down after the flight and debriefed myself ruthlessly. I have done this particular climb about 7 or 8 times in the last few weeks and was used to it. I was too busy trying to fly the radio and reset my transponder in a busy RT environment to wonder what the aircraft was doing. The fact that I was receiving a radar service and speaking to the controller probably counted in my favour. I also didn't have to go over the hill - I could just as easily have gone around it but the direct route took me over it. It is of course entirely possible that my transponder was reading correctly and that the controller did me a favour by telling me I hadn't infringed because I was receiving a service and confessed to my apparent sin immediately.
I work for the company, but hey, don't let that fool you. I'm really an OK guy...