Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 9; Flight Crew Total 1160; Flight Crew Type 890
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Workload; Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Human Factors; Procedure
On a return VFR cross country to 3N6 (Old Bridge NJ) via Intersection Panze and Ziggi. Prior to departing I contacted Atlantic City Clearance to arrange for flight following. I was given a discrete transponder code and instructions to remain clear of Class C Atlantic City Airspace. I departed remaining clear of the Charlie airspace and contacted Atlantic City Approach. We established communications and confirmed my intentions. En-route somewhere near intersection Panze I received a traffic warning from ATC. I replied as 'Looking'. Afterwards and even though I did not believe the traffic to be an issue any longer; I contacted approach saying 'No Joy on the traffic'. Typically I get a reply to that but this time I did not. Since the controller was busy; I dismissed it as just that; too busy to answer and no factor anyway. The flight progressed and at approximately 10 miles south of my next waypoint Ziggi; I thought I should have received a handoff to Maguire approach by now or at least very soon. I called Atlantic City Approach. No answer at all but they were still busy. So after a minute or two I called again. This time I got a response; 'Aircraft calling Atlantic City Standby and remain clear of Class Charlie'. At this point I realized that I was way into Maguire Approach's radar coverage and still squawking the original discrete transponder code. Since I did not get an answer from Atlantic City and now was approaching my final destination; I reset my transponder to 1200. I listened to Atlantic City Approach for another 5 minutes and never received a call back from my last instruction to standby. I then tuned in to the CTAF for Old Bridge and proceeded with my approach and landed. This upset me as I am a careful and courteous pilot. I have been flying for many years and while I realize I could have missed a call from Atlantic City; I [am] very certain that a handoff or termination of services was never given. Rather I got the sense that I was forgotten; and then unfortunately ignored. The thought of this as a possibility actually sickened me. We all make mistakes and they can be dealt with. Ignoring them is certainly not the answer. I understand that the weather was perfect but that should not matter. Once agreeing to provide the service; that must be what is done or terminate the service. In reviewing my own performance; I should have called Maguire approach and asked if I had ever handed off to them. If not; then I could have at least apologized for the transponder code. Probably because my ground speed on the return legs was 140 MPH; a whole lot faster than normal and it was all happening so quickly; I did not think of that. I worry that this might happen in poor weather conditions where I might have truly needed the assistance. In those conditions and even in good conditions I will be more persistent for an answer and if it were my mistake; I would accept that. I will also speak to an instructor to see how I would have handled this better so that if it should happen again I will be better prepared to deal with it.
Cessna 172 pilot is under flight following and never gets handed off to the next facility due to traffic and frequency congestion. Pilot fly's through intended airspace and attempts contact with ATC. Pilot lands at destination and describes how he should have been handled.