PA32 pilot questioned 'climb at pilot's discretion' clearance.

Attributes
ACN	467570
Time
Date	200003
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : lan.airport
State Reference	MI
Altitude	msl bound lower : 2000 msl bound upper : 2500
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : lax.tower
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	climbout : vacating altitude
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : multi engine pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 7 flight time total : 870 flight time type : 380
ASRS Report	467570
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : local
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	other

Narrative:

On departure, I was cleared 'climb at pilot's discretion, maintain VFR.' I requested leveloff of 2500 ft MSL. Controller confirmed. I had a little question if the climb clearance was pilot's discretion to 2000 ft MSL, and if I could have gone through an assigned altitude, even though controller agreed to 2500 ft MSL. The controller never mentioned any problems, so I feel I was correct in my procedures.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA32 PLT QUESTIONED 'CLB AT PLT'S DISCRETION' CLRNC.

Narrative: ON DEP, I WAS CLRED 'CLB AT PLT'S DISCRETION, MAINTAIN VFR.' I REQUESTED LEVELOFF OF 2500 FT MSL. CTLR CONFIRMED. I HAD A LITTLE QUESTION IF THE CLB CLRNC WAS PLT'S DISCRETION TO 2000 FT MSL, AND IF I COULD HAVE GONE THROUGH AN ASSIGNED ALT, EVEN THOUGH CTLR AGREED TO 2500 FT MSL. THE CTLR NEVER MENTIONED ANY PROBS, SO I FEEL I WAS CORRECT IN MY PROCS.

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.