Narrative:

Received IFR clearance from bwi on the ground at gai. The clearance did not contain a 'void time' or a 'hold for release.' read clearance back and was advised clearance correct. Departed gai (an uncontrolled airport) and contacted bwi departure on appropriate frequency. Was advised I had not 'been released.' I telephoned controller after I got home (hpn) and we discussed the situation. The controller claims that I was advised to 'hold for release.' he claims I simply didn't read it back. The controller who gave me the clearance not only advised clearance correct, but immediately began conversing with another aircraft. If this had been actual IMC, a real conflict could have ensued. In the future, I will query why I didn't receive a void time.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PLT OF A BEECH BE55 TOOK OFF FROM AN UNCTLED ARPT PRIOR TO ATC RELEASE DUE TO A MISUNDERSTANDING BTWN APCH CTLR AND THE RPTR REGARDING THE RELEASE REQUIREMENT. NO CONFLICT DUE TO EXISTING VFR CONDITIONS.

Narrative: RECEIVED IFR CLRNC FROM BWI ON THE GND AT GAI. THE CLRNC DID NOT CONTAIN A 'VOID TIME' OR A 'HOLD FOR RELEASE.' READ CLRNC BACK AND WAS ADVISED CLRNC CORRECT. DEPARTED GAI (AN UNCTLED ARPT) AND CONTACTED BWI DEP ON APPROPRIATE FREQ. WAS ADVISED I HAD NOT 'BEEN RELEASED.' I TELEPHONED CTLR AFTER I GOT HOME (HPN) AND WE DISCUSSED THE SIT. THE CTLR CLAIMS THAT I WAS ADVISED TO 'HOLD FOR RELEASE.' HE CLAIMS I SIMPLY DIDN'T READ IT BACK. THE CTLR WHO GAVE ME THE CLRNC NOT ONLY ADVISED CLRNC CORRECT, BUT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN CONVERSING WITH ANOTHER ACFT. IF THIS HAD BEEN ACTUAL IMC, A REAL CONFLICT COULD HAVE ENSUED. IN THE FUTURE, I WILL QUERY WHY I DIDN'T RECEIVE A VOID TIME.

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.