Helicopter
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 11300; Flight Crew Type 6100
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Procedure; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
After being handed from Tower to HCF Departure; contacted Controller;'HCF Departure; (with call sign); and that I had visual separation with a helicopter about 2 miles ahead of me on the same departure; and requested higher altitude in order to climb above the 10;000 FT mountain in front of me.' (I did 'IDENT'; trying to be helpful to the Controller at this time). Response was 'Oh; you want to talk to HCF Departure? IDENT'. I then pushed the IDENT button again; and waited. There was no other traffic except the two helicopters in front of me; which I had both helicopters in sight. The Controller did not talk for a while; so I asked if the Controller had me identified. The Controller then proceeded to tell me on the radio not to IDENT until instructed to. Meanwhile; I hit an updraft and ballooned to 2;300 FT; I was assigned 2;000 FT; and reduced power to stop climbing. Then the Controller asked what altitude I was at; I was honest and said that I was at 2;300 FT. The Controller then proceeded to lecture on the radio; so I asked for the Controller's initials; was refused and told to call the Supervisor as soon as I got on the ground. I did talk to the Supervisor on the HNL watch desk via telephone. He said that he listened to the tapes; and explained why I shouldn't IDENT till told. I got that; I understand that; won't do it anymore. But I questioned why it took so long for the Controller to respond after the Controller asked me to IDENT; shouldn't the Controller be looking for the ID because the Controller asked for it? (Was the Controller being distracted; or not paying attention? Is there some other reason?) In the radio transmissions; the Controller actually admitted that the Controller saw my identification; so the Controller knew which aircraft I was. There was no other traffic around. Yes; I did admit I climbed higher than the assigned 2;000 FT; I was honest and did not hide it; and I explained that to the Supervisor. If the Controller wants to educate us; they should talk with us on the ground; not in the air. A simple 'I have some information that's pretty important to share with you; can you please call us at [phone number]'; instead of trying to lecture us in the air might facilitate a discussion that is beneficial to both sides. Most of the air traffic controllers that I've worked with over 32 years of flying are wonderful; professional and courteous. However; there are some controllers that retaliate against a pilot; by holding them outside airspace; making them wait before radar identification; etc. What can we do to have them improve; or do we have to put up with this until they retire? If we speak up; we may be singled out and 'targeted'. Is there another process besides this report that we could use to improve the ATC system?
A helicopter pilot objected to a Controller's manner of controlling and lecturing after he selected IDENT before being asked to.