Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 4810; Flight Crew Type 2250
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Procedure; Human Factors
I was cleared by Houston Center Direct to OXUKE intersection; Cross the IAF at 3000 ft MSL; and cleared GPS-A approach to T30; report established. OXUKE is the IAF for GPS-A on the DME arc. I crossed OXUKE at about 3500 ft MSL and was established on the DME arc for the approach. Following the published altitude on the chart; I then descended to 2500 ft MSL. About 4 miles prior to the FEELS intersection; Houston Center called on the radio and asked if I was established on the approach. I informed them that yes I was established and was now in VMC conditions and would be able to cancel my IFR flight plan. Houston then proceeded to inform me that I was below 3000 ft and not to make that mistake again; canceled my flight plan and authorized me to change frequency. ATC cautionary statement did not match the published information on the chart.
Corporate pilot reported flying the T30 Airport GPS-A 10 DME arc between OXUKE and FEELS at 2500 feet as charted. ATC instructed that his aircraft should have remained at 3000 feet.