Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 31.5; Flight Crew Type 31.5
Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Procedure; Human Factors; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
I am a student pilot and did my first solo cross country flight today. I was flying to SBA via [Route X] with flight following. I listened to SBA ATIS as I approached and repeatedly requested (3-5 times) a frequency change from SoCal Approach to SBA Approach. I had their frequency on standby and was waiting permission to change frequencies. Finally another aircraft relayed to me the message that SBA Approach was trying to get a hold of me. I immediately replied and changed frequencies to SBA Approach. I am unsure if I violated their airspace in the time that I was awaiting approval to change frequencies. I never heard back from SoCal approach which tells me that they must have terminated my radar services without my knowledge; but I never left their frequency. The only way it could have happened is if they did so while I was listening to SBA ATIS.
Pilot reports of flying under flight following and not hearing a transfer of communications. Pilot is advised by another pilot to contact the approach control he was waiting to be switched to. Pilot is unsure if he violated any airspace during the communication issue.