Small aircraft pilot requests a VFR use of IFR STAR. This route goes through the TCA.

Attributes
ACN	138919
Time
Date	199003
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : tnv
State Reference	TX
Altitude	msl bound lower : 3500 msl bound upper : 3500
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : iah
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, High Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
Flight Phase	cruise other descent : approach descent other
Route In Use	enroute : direct
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : cfi pilot : commercial pilot : atp pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 40 flight time total : 2600 flight time type : 150
ASRS Report	138919
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : unable
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Ambiguous
Air Traffic Incident	other

Narrative:

Entered TCA houston on V15, 125 degree radial from tnv VORTAC. I requested a VFR struck 6 arrival to hou hobby airport on hou approach 123.8 MHZ. Was 'cleared as requested, maintain VFR'. I complied -- by so doing penetrated TCA, was not advised 'cleared to enter TCA'. I agree with houston approach that an aircraft 'cleared direct' when VFR should be allowed to penetrate, and cleared through any special use airspace. Only when approach or controling agency does not have authority to 'clear into TCA', etc, that agency should so advise. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following: reporter states that V15 takes one through a portion of the TCA. After landing, reporter began to question whether he really had clearance to enter TCA. He is an apc and became very concerned. Decided to cover himself with ASRS report.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMA PLT REQUESTS A VFR USE OF IFR STAR. THIS ROUTE GOES THROUGH THE TCA.

Narrative: ENTERED TCA HOUSTON ON V15, 125 DEG RADIAL FROM TNV VORTAC. I REQUESTED A VFR STRUCK 6 ARRIVAL TO HOU HOBBY ARPT ON HOU APCH 123.8 MHZ. WAS 'CLRED AS REQUESTED, MAINTAIN VFR'. I COMPLIED -- BY SO DOING PENETRATED TCA, WAS NOT ADVISED 'CLRED TO ENTER TCA'. I AGREE WITH HOUSTON APCH THAT AN ACFT 'CLRED DIRECT' WHEN VFR SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PENETRATE, AND CLRED THROUGH ANY SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE. ONLY WHEN APCH OR CTLING AGENCY DOES NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO 'CLEAR INTO TCA', ETC, THAT AGENCY SHOULD SO ADVISE. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH REPORTER REVEALED THE FOLLOWING: REPORTER STATES THAT V15 TAKES ONE THROUGH A PORTION OF THE TCA. AFTER LNDG, REPORTER BEGAN TO QUESTION WHETHER HE REALLY HAD CLRNC TO ENTER TCA. HE IS AN APC AND BECAME VERY CONCERNED. DECIDED TO COVER HIMSELF WITH ASRS REPORT.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.