Extra 200/300 Series
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 7000; Flight Crew Type 1200
Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
Departure on VFR flight. Prepared aircraft for leg #1 flight. After completing after start checklist; taxied from ramp to A2 hold short position for A. This position is normally used in order to allow control tower to see aircraft calling ground not blocked by hangars. Completed run-up and before takeoff checklist; totaling approximately 10 minutes in order to prepare for departure. Attempted to contact ground control prior to taxi and was unable to establish communications. Observed transmitting icon illuminating on com 1 control panel. Observed no motion or light signals from tower or any other surrounding aircraft or personnel. Attempted to establish communications on tower frequency and unable to establish communication. Observed no signals or tower movement of any other aircraft or airport personnel. Also recognizing transmission icon illumination on control panel. Realizing early local time nature of departure; presumed tower was not yet in operation. Proceeded up to and hold short of runway 1-3. Stopped in position and made additional attempt to contact tower with same results. Next made detailed observation to ensure no other aircraft were in traffic pattern; runway or ground environment. Announced intentions for takeoff and departure using common traffic advisory frequency. Initiated takeoff and departure as per advisory. After departure and initial climb; on course for VFR first leg; attempting to contact approach with no success; determining some sort of radio or accessory malfunction. Determined helmet/headset single point connection defective. This equipment being new application to this aircraft; realizing that single point connection can be connected but not necessarily tight enough to enable electronic connection. After re-establishing communications; proceeding to first airport of intended landing; recognized the possibility that my departure tower may have been in operation. Immediately contacted tower and I was advised that in fact they were in operation. I explained these circumstances to the tower controller. Obviously realizing the potential hazard that I had unwillingly created; I felt that this report would be of value in order to enhance flight operations for myself and others in the pursuit of safety.
An Extra Pilot departed after unsuccessfully attempting to contact Tower and assumed the Tower was not in operation. He later discovered his single point headset jack had not been fully seated and that his departure airport Tower was in operation.