Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 3700; Flight Crew Type 1400
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Airport; Airspace Structure
Enroute under VFR-flight-following to ORL at 2;500 MSL Direct. [I was] vectored through Orlando Class B airspace with Class B clearance. Approximately 10 miles out from ORL; Orlando approach requested that I descend to 1;600 feet MSL and report the airport in sight. I reported ORL in sight and descended to 1;600 feet MSL. About 3 NM North of ORL the Orlando Approach Controller was communicating with another aircraft about what missed approach to fly after a particular approach was flown. This filled the radio with congestion and I couldn't query ATC on providing me a switchover to ORL Tower. When I had the chance which was when I was now 1 NM from the downwind of the runway in use at ORL; I reported again 'I have ORL Executive in sight.' Orlando Approach told me to turn right to enter the downwind; to 'Descend Now;' and then to contact Orlando Tower. I complied with everything ATC requested of me. When I contacted Executive Tower; the Controller asked why I entered his airspace without talking to him. I informed him that Orlando Approach told me to enter the downwind and then contact him. Orlando Tower told me I couldn't enter Class D airspace. I also told the Tower Controller that I was told to descend. No more questions or statements came from Orlando Tower to me but I wanted to report this because I feel it was improper ATC procedure of Orlando Approach to clear me down into the Class D airspace below the Class B without communicating first with their ATC counterpart at Orlando Tower. I am under the impression that my communication with Orlando Approach fulfills my communication requirement for Class D in regulation 91.129.
A pilot entered ORL Class D Airspace at MCO TRACON's direction and was confronted by a combative ORL Tower Controller for entering the airspace without his clearance even though MCO cleared him in.