C172 pilot questions alleged violation of boston class B while departing ghg.

Attributes
ACN	718047
Time
Date	200611
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : 3b2.airport
State Reference	GA
Altitude	msl single value : 3200
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : a90.tracon
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	other
Flight Phase	cruise : enroute altitude change
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : commercial
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 25 flight time total : 1600 flight time type : 1300
ASRS Report	718047
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Events
Anomaly	airspace violation : entry non adherence : far
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued advisory flight crew : exited penetrated airspace
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance ATC Human Performance Airspace Structure
Primary Problem	Ambiguous

Narrative:

I departed ghg to return to my home. At 2700 ft I tried repeatedly to get flight following on 124.1; the controller did not answer for several mins. We were told to switch frequency and contact was finally made. I realize these controllers are busy; but this guy was not having a good day. With his tone of voice; he really was in need of a break. At my altitude 2700 ft; I was below the class B and heading 290 degrees. I was cleared through at 3500 ft according to my understanding. I never reached that altitude and was asked to descend which I did immediately. I was informed that I penetrated the airspace and asked if I understood the airspace. I answered 'yes' and after a short discussion I asked him to replay the tape. There was no incident or not even a close event. I just came under that airspace not more than an hour before without clearance at 2700 ft. I also fly with a garmin GPS that shows the class B outlines. If I misunderstood the controller that is one thing; but I did not need clearance and was content to stay under the airspace until I cleared the west side. This may not be reported by boston but I would rather have heard 'stay clear of B;' not 'cleared through the class B at 2700 ft.' that way there is no misleading statements.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C172 PLT QUESTIONS ALLEGED VIOLATION OF BOSTON CLASS B WHILE DEPARTING GHG.

Narrative: I DEPARTED GHG TO RETURN TO MY HOME. AT 2700 FT I TRIED REPEATEDLY TO GET FLT FOLLOWING ON 124.1; THE CTLR DID NOT ANSWER FOR SEVERAL MINS. WE WERE TOLD TO SWITCH FREQ AND CONTACT WAS FINALLY MADE. I REALIZE THESE CTLRS ARE BUSY; BUT THIS GUY WAS NOT HAVING A GOOD DAY. WITH HIS TONE OF VOICE; HE REALLY WAS IN NEED OF A BREAK. AT MY ALT 2700 FT; I WAS BELOW THE CLASS B AND HDG 290 DEGS. I WAS CLRED THROUGH AT 3500 FT ACCORDING TO MY UNDERSTANDING. I NEVER REACHED THAT ALT AND WAS ASKED TO DSND WHICH I DID IMMEDIATELY. I WAS INFORMED THAT I PENETRATED THE AIRSPACE AND ASKED IF I UNDERSTOOD THE AIRSPACE. I ANSWERED 'YES' AND AFTER A SHORT DISCUSSION I ASKED HIM TO REPLAY THE TAPE. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT OR NOT EVEN A CLOSE EVENT. I JUST CAME UNDER THAT AIRSPACE NOT MORE THAN AN HR BEFORE WITHOUT CLRNC AT 2700 FT. I ALSO FLY WITH A GARMIN GPS THAT SHOWS THE CLASS B OUTLINES. IF I MISUNDERSTOOD THE CTLR THAT IS ONE THING; BUT I DID NOT NEED CLRNC AND WAS CONTENT TO STAY UNDER THE AIRSPACE UNTIL I CLRED THE W SIDE. THIS MAY NOT BE RPTED BY BOSTON BUT I WOULD RATHER HAVE HEARD 'STAY CLR OF B;' NOT 'CLRED THROUGH THE CLASS B AT 2700 FT.' THAT WAY THERE IS NO MISLEADING STATEMENTS.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.