Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 2600; Flight Crew Type 400
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
I requested a VFR departure and clearance through Class B with Ground control at KVGT per normal procedure. I was issued departure instructions 'As requested' with a vector (210); squawk; and departure frequency. After takeoff from KVGT runway 12R; I turned to a 210 and continued my climb on Tower frequency. Normally; KVGT tower switches VFR departures to LAS Departure control very quickly after takeoff; and LAS departure always informs you that you are cleared through Class B as they pick you up.Today; the tower controller did not pass me off to departure; and I climbed to the ceiling of the tower airspace/floor of Class B while departing. I requested a switch to departure control; expecting my 'As requested' VFR departure clearance and continued my climb while contacting departure. I made a radio switch error; corrected it; and then contacted departure now a few hundred feet into the Class B. The departure controller said I was not cleared into Class B and that surprised me. I apologized and he said it was not a big deal as there was no other traffic for miles.I want to file this report as there were a few human factors; and perceptions which led to this airspace bust. First; I expected the clearance into B airspace as we always get it. I also expected the tower to switch me quickly to departure control soon after takeoff and well before nearing Class B; neither of those things happened today. That; coupled with my radio error and distraction; and expectation for clearance into Bravo; caused the issue. Second; the tower controller who gave me my clearance said something to the effect of cleared 'As requested' and in my mind; I was thinking I had clearance into Class B. That in fact is incorrect and an error on my part. No safety of flight issues occurred as a result of this; however; in the future it could be worse and traffic conflicts could happen.
VFR pilot requested a VFR departure and clearance through the LAS Class Bravo airspace. Controller at Tower approved the request. When handed off to TRACON; the Approach Controller stated the aircraft was not cleared into the Bravo airspace.