Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 81.7; Flight Crew Total 1150.5; Flight Crew Type 85
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
While flying the 'Channel transition' in the San Diego bay; I was unable to continue around Point Loma and fly north along the coast due to low lying clouds. After returning northbound; I requested the 'Delta transition' to over fly SAN northbound and continue into northern San Diego County. I heard 'Cleared into Class Bravo eastbound' from the North Island Tower and I flew north.When I was abeam SAN; I requested the Delta transition again and North Island tower told me 'Frequency change approved.' Seeing how I had been 'cleared in to Class Bravo' and North Island tower told me to change to SAN; I turned north and proceeded to 1500 and called San Diego tower. San Diego tower gave me a squawk code and I continued northbound. As I passed over the airfield at 1500; tower asked me if I was the aircraft transitioning over the field. I replied yes and the controller informed that she had not cleared me into Class Bravo. I responded saying that North Island had told me that I was cleared into the Class Bravo. She then informed me that North Island cannot clear aircraft for the Delta Transition and let me continue north to Mission Bay. The controller did not give me a number to call; however; I believe this is a point of confusion that should be clarified between the transition from North Island Tower and San Diego Tower. I have flown this transition before (although always North to South) but I believe that North Island Tower should not say anything about clearance into Class Bravo airspace to make certain there is no confusion. All pilots know that 'Cleared in to Class Bravo' are the magic words. So; if they can only get this phrase from one tower; it will help make sure you're getting clearance from the proper entity.
Pilot reports of being cleared through Class Bravo by one Controller; then is shipped to another Tower and checks in. The new Tower Controller questions the pilot and the pilot states the last Controller gave him clearance through the Class Bravo. The new Controller told the pilot that the other Tower cannot issue Class Bravo clearances. The pilot is confused as to why he received the first clearance if that Tower Controller cannot issue it.