Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 14.2; Flight Crew Total 550; Flight Crew Type 200
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Workload
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Airspace Structure; Procedure
While operating a scenic flight under Part 91 from KMYF; I inadvertently entered into SAN's Class B airspace prior to receiving an explicit clearance to enter the airspace.  I had requested a 'Taxiway Delta Transition' from MYF Clearance Delivery and was then issued taxi instructions to Runway 28L.  Upon requesting a take-off clearance from MYF Tower; I was issued instructions to report 1 mile from the MZB VOR; told that the Taxiway Delta Transition was approved and then cleared for take-off.  While approaching the MZB VOR at 1500 ft. MSL (the Class B airspace is only 5 nm from MYF); I did not receive a hand-off to SAN Tower as expected.  The frequency was very congested.  After my second or third request for a frequency change; the request was authorized and I contacted SAN Tower.  I realized that I was close to Class B airspace; when my frequency change was finally issued.  When I reported level at 1500 for the Taxiway Delta Transition; the controller asked that in the future that I contract them prior to entering Class B.  I told the controller that I thought I was authorized to enter the Class B based on my instructions from MYF Tower.  I was then told that MYF cannot provide a clearance into SAN's airspace; and that only SAN can provide the appropriate clearance.  I continued the Taxiway Delta Transition and remainder of the flight without further incidence.  I have flown the Taxiway Delta Transition several times; and the last time was approximately 2 years ago.  On my previous flight I was issued a transponder code from MYF and told that SAN was expecting me prior to taking off; neither occurred on this particular flight.  Regardless; I should have verified that I was explicitly cleared into Class B; and should have remained outside the airspace until then.  Several factors contributed to my loss of situational awareness; including:The short distance from MYF to the Class B airspace did not provide very much reaction time.  The frequency congestion prevented me from querying MYF Tower for clarification and delayed my hand-off to SAN Tower to receive a Class B clearance.  My error at the time thinking that my authorization for the Taxiway Delta Transition from MYF Tower amounted to a clearance into SAN's airspace.  Additionally; I should have specifically reported '1 mile from MZB' instead of asking the MYF tower controller; 'Do you want me talking to SAN Tower?'  The incidence underscores the importance of never assuming anything; the use of precise phraseology; and always verifying that one hears the words; 'Cleared into Class Bravo.'
Pilot reports of a Class Bravo airspace violation in which he thought he had clearance to enter but according to a SAN Tower controller he did not.