EC130
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Rotorcraft
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 12; Flight Crew Total 2714; Flight Crew Type 2585
Confusion; Distraction; Training / Qualification
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure
I was on a scenario-based training flight with a Helicopter Air Ambulance company. My flight path was from ZZZ to NNNNN Hospital East which; required me to transition through the ZZZ1 Class C surface area. I was unable to contact Approach and Tower via the normal frequencies. Weather at that time was; VFR; overcast; and blustery; isolated storms passing through (not reported); with winds out of the west at approximately 18 knots; gusting mid to high 20's at the surface. However; at an altitude of approximately 1;750 MSL; winds were touching the medium to high 30 knot range (if I remember correctly; the controller gave a peak wind of 33 at the surface) where we [were] experiencing light to moderate turbulence. I was aware of my close proximity to the surface area and was attempting to steer clear of it as I was trying obtain an alternate frequency (fumbling with the GPS) and make contact with Approach or Tower; with the added pressure that my 'imaginary patient was dying' from my instructor. However; during my juggling act and despite my efforts; unfortunately; barely crossed into the surface area prior to radio contact due to the winds pushing me into the surface area. There was no threat to any other aircraft. Nor when finally; in contact with Tower; they did not mention the situation or instruct me to call the Tower via phone. Request for the transition was granted without further issue. Lesson learned was not to presume that a frequency that was expected to be used and available; would be available. Check ATIS and NOTAMs prior to flight. And follow the old maxim... Aviate; Navigate; and then Communicate.
Pilot reported being task saturated during a training flight with bad weather; resulting in an airspace violation.