IFR PA-34 at 8000 ft; with P31; encountered weather buildups; requested and was granted an amended r...

Narrative:

I was on an IFR flight plan from the west at 8000 ft. As I approached pensacola; a line of buildups required deviation. While under the direct control of pensacola ATC (frequency 118.6); the controller vectored me to a location just north of pensacola. From there; the controller advised that the route was clear and asked if I wanted direct tallahassee from present position. I accepted that and read it back. I then turned direct to tallahassee (seminole VOR). I remained under ATC control and on the same frequency until just passed eglin. At that time; ATC called and asked 'are you still with me?' to which I replied 'of course.' I was advised to contact eglin approach 133.1. I immediately contacted eglin. The controller was clearly agitated. The transmissions were as follows: ATC: 'are you familiar with the area.' aircraft: 'no sir; but what can I help you with?' ATC: 'you just flew right through restriction airspace at eglin; I've been trying to call you for 20 miles.' aircraft: 'I am on an IFR flight plan and on my assigned clearance.' ATC: 'who were you talking to?' aircraft: 'pensacola approach on 118.6. ATC gave me present position direct tallahassee. I was north of pensacola.' ATC: 'why didn't you call her when the controller didn't given you a handoff?' aircraft: 'the controller was extremely busy and I was patient with her.' here; pensacola missed a handoff. But rather than confirm with pensacola approach; this irate controller decided instead to argue about it. As a pilot; I have no way of knowing where an ATC handoff is appropriate. I can only presume the controller knows a) to keep me out of controlled airspace; and B) clearance to 'tallahassee' was presumed to be the VOR; (now renamed seminole VOR). While this made no significant difference in path; I presumed the controller meant the VOR and not tallahassee airport's aerodrome. Finally; due to the buildups all along my path; my altitude deviated possibly 100-200 ft due to updrafts.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: IFR PA-34 at 8000 FT; with P31; encountered weather buildups; requested and was granted an amended route; after hand off to VPS reporter was questioned regarding restricted airspace entry.

Narrative: I was on an IFR flight plan from the west at 8000 FT. As I approached Pensacola; a line of buildups required deviation. While under the direct control of Pensacola ATC (frequency 118.6); the Controller vectored me to a location just north of Pensacola. From there; the Controller advised that the route was clear and asked if I wanted direct Tallahassee from present position. I accepted that and read it back. I then turned direct to Tallahassee (Seminole VOR). I remained under ATC control and on the same frequency until just passed Eglin. At that time; ATC called and asked 'Are you still with me?' to which I replied 'Of course.' I was advised to contact Eglin Approach 133.1. I immediately contacted Eglin. The Controller was clearly agitated. The transmissions were as follows: ATC: 'Are you familiar with the area.' Aircraft: 'No sir; but what can I help you with?' ATC: 'You just flew right through restriction airspace at Eglin; I've been trying to call you for 20 miles.' Aircraft: 'I am on an IFR flight plan and on my assigned clearance.' ATC: 'Who were you talking to?' Aircraft: 'Pensacola Approach on 118.6. ATC gave me present position direct Tallahassee. I was north of Pensacola.' ATC: 'Why didn't you call her when the Controller didn't given you a handoff?' Aircraft: 'The Controller was extremely busy and I was patient with her.' Here; Pensacola missed a handoff. But rather than confirm with Pensacola Approach; this irate Controller decided instead to argue about it. As a pilot; I have no way of knowing where an ATC handoff is appropriate. I can only presume the Controller knows A) to keep me out of controlled airspace; and B) clearance to 'Tallahassee' was presumed to be the VOR; (now renamed Seminole VOR). While this made no significant difference in path; I presumed the Controller meant the VOR and not Tallahassee Airport's aerodrome. Finally; due to the buildups all along my path; my altitude deviated possibly 100-200 FT due to updrafts.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	827769
Time
Date	200903
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	VVS.Airport
State Reference	FL
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-34-200T Turbo Seneca II
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15 Flight Crew Total 1720 Flight Crew Type 300
Person 2
Function	Approach
Events
Anomaly	Airspace Violation All Types

IFR PA-34 at 8000 ft; with P31; encountered weather buildups; requested and was granted an amended route; after hand off to vps reporter was questioned regarding restricted airspace entry.