Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 495
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
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
[I] picked up safety pilot at EKM for practicing instrument approaches. Called Clearance Delivery at EKM and requested VFR practice approaches starting with the RNAV 27 at Charlie 91 (C91). Controller gave me clearance and told me to report crossing FAF way point (was setting up for the RNAV 27 at C91 but Controller gave me instructions for RNAV 27 at EKM). I didn't catch the discrepancy and neither did the Controller or safety pilot. I continued setting up the RNAV 27 at C91 and wrote down the FAF fix to C91 instead of at EKM. When reading back clearance I read back that I was cleared for the RNAV 27 at C91 and to report passing the FAF (WUKOV). The Controller had given me the FAF to EKM RNAV 27 (COGNE). I didn't repeat his clearance correctly and he didn't correct my error and cleared me for departure. He asked me if I would like to stay with him on the Tower frequency; I said yes; but we would then resume our own navigation. We flew to the IAF to C91 and proceeded to complete the approach and upon crossing FAF (WUKOV) I called to report. [I] was cleared for the RNAV 27 approach. Switched to CTAF at C91 and continued on with our flight. After the approach I called EKM to report back up; no reply; twice. Continued on with approach to 3TR and during approach was contacted by another pilot that SBN was looking for us. I called SBN Approach and reported in. They told me EKM was looking for us. I finished approach at 3TR and returned to EKM. [I] was told to call Tower. Controller told me of our error and proceeded to chastise me using profanity. 'I didn't know where the #@$% you were. We talked through the clearance discrepancies and I told him that I had clearly had asked for the RNAV 27 at Charlie 91. He said that with everyone talking so fast how was he supposed to hear Charlie 91. He said I should have said RNAV 27 to Dowagiac. I thought I was using proper FAA language. I was told they had half the Elkhart Fire department looking for us. There were enough mistakes from both sides; but in the end I'm pilot in command. My take away from this situation is this:1. Make sure the clearance you ask for and the clearance you are given are correct. Don't assume they know where you are planning to go.2. From now on I won't do practice approaches with out using Approach Control. No more Tower controllers at Class D airports.3. I should have known something was wrong when he asked if I wanted to stay on his frequency. I would have been outside his airspace.4. If something doesn't seem normal it probably needs to be questioned.5. Don't feel pressured to get going. Get it right or sit tight.6. In the end it was nice to know that the Controller was really most upset about my safety. He did what he could to make sure we were fine.
Pilot reports confusion of perceived clearance and actual clearance received from ATC; resulting in pilot flying to a different airport then what the Controller cleared him to.