Robinson R22
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 2240; Flight Crew Type 1000
Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; General Police / Security Involved
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
Was enroute to ZZZ; with thoroughly prepared flight plan using FAA approved software Foreflight. All area maps and software were current and reporting all active and inactive TFRs within state area. However; this TFR was not listed or declared as active. ZZZ Tower contacted us while refueling at their facility; providing us with a number to contact. We asked ZZZ Tower if we were clear to proceed on our flight; and they confirmed that we were. Shortly after we contacted ZZZ1 tower to be cleared into their airspace; which we were; but were instructed to contact approach. We contacted approach; and were cleared to proceed on our declared flight path; but were told to divert northbound to accommodate an inbound plane.After we cleared the inbound plane; they instructed us to proceed on our path; and contact Tower. We contacted ZZZ1 Tower; and were told to return to ZZZ1 airport on the helipad; and were provided the approach number to contact once we landed. We followed instructions; contacted approach upon landing; and were instructed to go inside the FBO; because someone wanted to speak with us. Federal Agents interviewed myself; and the student pilot; and asked why we had busted the TFR. We immediately showed them our flight charts on Foreflight; which listed no such active TFR. They understood at that point that we had done our research; and were not imposing a threat; and had not caused an issue; and dismissed us both.
R22 instructor pilot reported that after landing they were asked to meet with Federal officials for busting a TFR.