Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 77; Flight Crew Total 27000; Flight Crew Type 1500
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication
I landed at PMP to wait out rain showers that prevented me from continuing northward to my home airport. I taxied my aircraft to an FBO and sat in it for an hour and 13 minutes while it rained heavily with wind gusts. When the field became VFR again; I started up and prepared to call Ground Control; and noted that the Tower closed at XA00 local according to Miami TAC chart. I proceeded to taxi to Runway 15 (the only lighted runway) utilizing the parallel taxiway (Delta); which did not cross the lit Runway 15. Upon nearing the intersection of Taxiway Delta and Bravo; the Tower called me by my N number; and I responded; 'you closed 40 minutes ago.' They replied that they were open to XB00 local. They cleared me to the run-up area at the northeast end of Bravo; and when I called; 'ready for takeoff;' I was cleared for takeoff without further comment. No other traffic was taxiing; taking off or landing during this time. If the Tower hours of operation were until XB00 local; then the XA00 local closing time shown on the chart was in error. Remedy? Print correct closing time on chart.
The Reporter stated that ATC had been observing him since he landed and watched him taxi out but said nothing until his CTAF call. He felt that he had done due diligence and because the FAA printed information was incorrect he made an error.
A pilot landed at PMP during normal Tower hours of operation and after a weather delay; thinking the Tower was closed because of its Miami Sectional posted hours; taxied for takeoff using CTAF procedures but was called by the Tower and notified they were opened until XB00 not XA00.