Flight Crew Sport / Recreational
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 3; Flight Crew Total 95; Flight Crew Type 2
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness; Confusion
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Aircraft; Airspace Structure; Human Factors
After completing checkout on the C162; I loaded up with a passenger for a flight to TEB. I have completed all of my flights to date near or within the SFRA and had a FRZ clearance; but this was my first time using the Leesburg maneuvering area as a solo pilot. I was familiar with the procedures and squawked the egress code; intending to request flight following once cruising. I intended to fly directly north from JYO until clear of the SFRA as shown on the Garmin G300 glass panel moving map GPS. I allowed my passenger; a student pilot; to assist with navigation and before departure; assisted him in inputting TEB as the destination. As we flew north; I allowed the passenger to utilize the G300 secondary display as well as Foreflight on his iPhone. Unbeknown to me until after the incident; the G300 was on the 'weather' screen rather than the normal moving map GPS display. The weather screen displays the Class B rings but does not display the SFRA ring or the Leesburg maneuvering area. I mistakenly remembered from my preflight; however; that once I was past the second Class B ring I could turn toward TEB and clear the SFRA. In reality; this took me on a path that entered 1 mile into the SFRA. After clearing the second ring; I turned to direct TEB heading. Shortly after turning; I heard Potomac Control on the Guard frequency alerting the aircraft egressing Leesburg that they were entering the SFRA and to turn north. I replied and complied immediately. The passenger indicated afterward that he thought I might be leaving the maneuvering area based on what he saw on Foreflight but didn't say anything out of deference and hesitation. I informed him that he should never hesitate to highlight a potential error to a pilot. While the G300 is a standard Garmin system and easy to use; I should have taken the time to display the desired screen before departure. Additionally; I should have input a waypoint clear of the SFRA to display a flightplan that would have clearly marked the necessary flight path. Finally; while moving map GPS greatly aids navigation; I should have established a clear visual landmark to remain clear of the SFRA. Highway 15 and the river island at Point of Rocks; MD provide an excellent landmark and I will use them in the future. Garmin might consider displaying the SFRA boundaries in addition to B/C/D airspace by default on the weather screen in addition to the moving map.
C162 pilot reports misinterpreting his Garmin300 while departing the DC SFRA to the north and exiting the Leesburg maneuvering area. ATC announces the error on guard and the reporter turns back on course.