Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 4000; Flight Crew Type 600
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airspace Structure
I was returning from the San Diego Harbor corridor and proceeding VFR via the D taxiway transition at 1;500 feet and in contact with Lindbergh Tower (KSAN). While proceeding northwest bound Tower informed me of banner tow traffic ahead in the corridor. After calling in sight and overtaking; I informed Tower I would passing traffic on his right. Tower acknowledged and shortly thereafter called me leaving their airspace and cleared me to switch frequencies. I then tuned KMYF tower frequency which was jammed with multiple communications. In fact Tower; after giving instructions; had informed aircraft to respond with callsign only; this was repeatedly ignored and further lead to an overwhelmed frequency. At this point; not being able to get a call out and approaching Class D; I elected to initiate a climb above the traffic pattern midfield. I felt this was the safest option under these circumstances: KSAN approach corridor was to the southeast of my position and I had just exited and left their frequency. And more critically; I felt I couldn't initiate a 180-degree turn because of the banner aircraft I had just passed; and at this time was not certain of his position. When I finally was able to establish contact with KMYF Tower I called a high midfield downwind position; was given a squawk and cleared to enter the traffic pattern; and cleared for landing without incident.
Pilot entered Montgomery airport's airspace without clearance due to a congested Tower frequency and nearby Class B airspace as well as conflicting traffic. Pilot climbed above pattern altitude and eventually received clearance from Tower.