Small aircraft pilot descends to transition altitude instead of remaining at assigned.

Attributes
ACN	316090
Time
Date	199509
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : sle
State Reference	OR
Altitude	msl bound lower : 3500 msl bound upper : 3500
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zse
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	cruise other
Route In Use	enroute : direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 200 flight time type : 75
ASRS Report	316090
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course or assigned course
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I filed a flight plan that included the transition route. When I was cleared as filed, I mistakenly thought that this included the transition route altitude. I was at 5000 ft MSL when I crossed the vbg VOR. I then descended to 3500 ft MSL (which is the published transition altitude) and flew the transition heading. There were no traffic conflicts. This happened because I am a newly-rated instrument pilot and a low- time pilot as well. If there is such a thing as a 'rookie mistake' this is it. I have since undertaken an intense re-study of video tapes and regulations. Additionally, I will be doing a series of IFR xcountries with my instructor.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMA PLT DSNDS TO TRANSITION ALT INSTEAD OF REMAINING AT ASSIGNED.

Narrative: I FILED A FLT PLAN THAT INCLUDED THE TRANSITION RTE. WHEN I WAS CLRED AS FILED, I MISTAKENLY THOUGHT THAT THIS INCLUDED THE TRANSITION RTE ALT. I WAS AT 5000 FT MSL WHEN I CROSSED THE VBG VOR. I THEN DSNDED TO 3500 FT MSL (WHICH IS THE PUBLISHED TRANSITION ALT) AND FLEW THE TRANSITION HDG. THERE WERE NO TFC CONFLICTS. THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I AM A NEWLY-RATED INST PLT AND A LOW- TIME PLT AS WELL. IF THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A 'ROOKIE MISTAKE' THIS IS IT. I HAVE SINCE UNDERTAKEN AN INTENSE RE-STUDY OF VIDEO TAPES AND REGS. ADDITIONALLY, I WILL BE DOING A SERIES OF IFR XCOUNTRIES WITH MY INSTRUCTOR.

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.