Small Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turboprop Eng
Flight Crew Rotorcraft; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Total 3000
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
Flying Aircraft X; 2000 feet from the north to Hawkins Field in Jackson Mississippi. We were being worked by Jackson Approach and at about 3.1 miles out from Hawkins Field we were told to contact Hawkins tower and squawk VFR. We did so and said to tower we were with you at 2000 feet landing Hawkins Field and then tower ask us how far out we were. At that time we were about 2.9 miles out and then heard tower say to a helicopter taking off do you have the traffic north of the field? At which time helicopter responded; 'I do not have a traffic.' We then responded on the radio we have the helicopter insight and we made a turn to the right and then the helicopter said; 'That I have the traffic and turned to the right. His right which was away from us. Tower then said that Aircraft X was in the wrong place. Then tower said to us that we should have contacted the sooner. Our response was we were being worked by Jackson Approach and was just handed off to them which was Hawkins tower. Controller then said we were number two in line for downwind 34. No other issues and a normal landing was made.It was our understanding that we were being handled by Jackson Approach and saw no reason to contact Hawkins Tower before we were told to do so and believed they were coordinating with each other as we have landed at that airport many times.
Pilot receives flight following from Approach Control. Pilot is told to squawk VFR and contact the Tower at 3.1 miles from the airport. Pilot calls Tower and Controller advises pilot that he should have called them earlier. Pilot responded that they were under flight following and Approach told them to call when they did.