Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 930; Flight Crew Type 750
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
My flight was from TEB. The route clearance started with TEB 8 SBJ V6 etc. 3;000; 8;000 in ten minutes. After a LUAW instruction from Teterboro Tower; I was cleared for takeoff from Runway 1 at TEB. The Tower instruction was 'Runway 1 cleared for takeoff'. I neither heard nor read back any initial heading or altitude assignment. The airport and airspace was very busy. After departure; I did not hear a contact Departure instruction as expected. After several minutes; I called Teterboro Tower to ask if I had missed the call. The Tower Controller then instructed me to contact Departure. By the time I made my initial call to New York Departure; I had flown the required northeast portion of the departure procedure and was southwest of TEB at 3;000 FT on the way to SBJ. The flight conditions were clear VMC but the delay in the hand off was not a good situation. I am not sure if I missed the call or if it was not made but either way the situation should not have happened. An earlier call by myself to TEB to inquire about the hand off would have made the situation better. Also; it sounded as if the Tower Controller was assisting the Ground Controller adding to his already heavy work load.
An pilot departed on the TEB 8 and transitioned direct SBJ before contacting the TRACON because TEB Tower had not directed a frequency change after takeoff.