Instructor with student in a C172 climbs above altitude he had indicated to ATC.

Attributes
ACN	436360
Time
Date	199905
Day	Mon
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : flo.airport
State Reference	SC
Altitude	msl bound lower : 3000 msl bound upper : 4000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : flo.tracon
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude
Route In Use	approach : visual
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	instruction : instructor oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : multi engine pilot : commercial pilot : cfi pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 1750 flight time type : 800
ASRS Report	436360
Person 2
Affiliation	other
Function	instruction : trainee
Qualification	pilot : student
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : overshoot
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to intended course
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Approach just assigned 'on course' to us leaving the flo class D airspace. I told departure passing 1800 ft for 3000 ft. Student confused about for tracking. Altitude went to 4000 ft before I realized it. I initiated conversation with ATC. We weren't assigned an altitude, but we were past what I said we would. To correct, when in VMC outside of class a, B, C, or D airspace, need way to control altitude that is non binding -- like cruise XXX. Ie, range of altitude, say +/-1000 ft.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: INSTRUCTOR WITH STUDENT IN A C172 CLBS ABOVE ALT HE HAD INDICATED TO ATC.

Narrative: APCH JUST ASSIGNED 'ON COURSE' TO US LEAVING THE FLO CLASS D AIRSPACE. I TOLD DEP PASSING 1800 FT FOR 3000 FT. STUDENT CONFUSED ABOUT FOR TRACKING. ALT WENT TO 4000 FT BEFORE I REALIZED IT. I INITIATED CONVERSATION WITH ATC. WE WEREN'T ASSIGNED AN ALT, BUT WE WERE PAST WHAT I SAID WE WOULD. TO CORRECT, WHEN IN VMC OUTSIDE OF CLASS A, B, C, OR D AIRSPACE, NEED WAY TO CTL ALT THAT IS NON BINDING -- LIKE CRUISE XXX. IE, RANGE OF ALT, SAY +/-1000 FT.

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.