Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 8300; Flight Crew Type 7000
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
On initial call up before taxi requests was made to ground controller for special VFR out of the zone through ZZZ airspace which was VFR at the time and then continue South Bound out of the zone. I was told to make my request when ready for take off; making me believe that the request was being processed. When I was ready to depart; I was told to make a completely different departure transition. I had no time to study the weather or anything else. On departure it became very clear that I could not [fly] this route and had to make immediate course corrections to remain VFR. At this point I asked to return to field and was told to circle in areas that were not possible to circle because of obstructions and low clouds and was informed that it would take 5 minutes before I could return to the field. Luckily the weather improved to the south where I could depart the area. [I wish that ATC would have] advised a pilot if their request is not possible and [suggest] options before the end of the runway ready for take off. On my part it would have been easier and safer to have filed for IFR on top.
The pilot of a C180 made a departure request upon contact with ATC for taxi; but was advised to make the request when ready for takeoff. The pilot did not make the request again; thinking that it was being processed. Instead he was given a departure route that he was unable to fly due to weather.