An RV4 pilot of a VFR flight climbed into class B airspace while checking his position on the map.

Attributes
ACN	401190
Time
Date	199805
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : hub
State Reference	TX
Altitude	msl bound lower : 2000 msl bound upper : 2200
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : iah
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 15000 flight time type : 600
ASRS Report	401190
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 240 flight time total : 15000 flight time type : 600
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : published procedure non adherence : far other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

As I approached the coast, I looked down at my map to check the next altitude of the class B. I inadvertently climbed 200 ft 1 mi inside the 2000 ft ring. I am very aware of airspace. However, when the system requires so many altitude/segments, it is very cumbersome. Instead of looking out for other aircraft in a high density area, pilots are required to bury their heads in maps.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AN RV4 PLT OF A VFR FLT CLBED INTO CLASS B AIRSPACE WHILE CHKING HIS POS ON THE MAP.

Narrative: AS I APCHED THE COAST, I LOOKED DOWN AT MY MAP TO CHK THE NEXT ALT OF THE CLASS B. I INADVERTENTLY CLBED 200 FT 1 MI INSIDE THE 2000 FT RING. I AM VERY AWARE OF AIRSPACE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE SYS REQUIRES SO MANY ALT/SEGMENTS, IT IS VERY CUMBERSOME. INSTEAD OF LOOKING OUT FOR OTHER ACFT IN A HIGH DENSITY AREA, PLTS ARE REQUIRED TO BURY THEIR HEADS IN MAPS.

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.