Helicopter
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 2300; Flight Crew Type 900
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
This instance occurred in a helicopter capable of a present position departure from a non movement area. Upon contracting ground; I requested a departure to the west after stating I was located at the ramp of [name removed].  Ground responded with 'Cleared downwind departure from present position stay clear of Class Charlie airspace.'  I responded by repeating the call verbatim.  I was not given any further commands nor told to standby or remain at current location; and since I was told my departure clearance I began to lift. I departed east initially into the wind; careful to avoid the runway centerline to ensure collision avoidance.  After takeoff the controller informed me I had committed a deviation because I had not been handed to tower.  I requested a right turn to downwind to avoid any possible traffic.  I was granted permission then told to call tower; while still not on tower frequency.  I was then told to contact tower frequency.  After making contact tower frequency cleared my departure from airspace and requested I call a number after reaching my destination.  Although my departure was premature given I hadn't contacted tower; I believe the heart of this issue was ground giving flight instructions and also not giving a subsequent frequency change to tower.  Aside from this instance; I have always contacted ground with present position and current info and been immediately assigned a tower frequency or a clearance via a taxiway.  Under ground control I was not given any sort of ground movement instructions; so I believe should have been immediately handed to tower with my request.  Again; I do not believe ground should issue a flight instruction. One other factor to this was that the previous afternoon I had contacted ground for a reposition on the airfield.  At that time the frequency was receiving ground; but also broadcasting tower commands.  (For instance I made my ground movement request but could here tower commands to an aircraft on downwind.)  When the event in question occurred; I did think it strange that a flight clearance was given from ground; but given the night before I was hearing tower commands from this channel; I unfortunately assumed that this was also a command from tower. Upon reaching my destination I contacted tower via phone and they stated the situation and that I had deviated because I departed without tower contact.  I explained my reasoning and they were very considerate.  They did make mention of an Archer on a one mile final that could have become an issue; but I feel that by staying clear of the runway at all times the risk of collision was very low.
A Helicopter Pilot reports of being issued a clearance for departure and not being given a frequency change or told to contact Tower. When the pilot departed and was airborne they were chastised for not talking to Local Control before departing.