Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 39; Flight Crew Total 297; Flight Crew Type 89
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace
Airspace Structure; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
I was in my initial climb to 7;500 ft. out of ZZZ and was utilizing flight following with Chicago Approach. Not soon after I climbed past 3;600 ft. I received a call from Chicago Approach that said '[Aircraft X] reminder that you are not authorized for Bravo entry;' or words very similar. I checked my position on my sectional on ForeFlight; seeing that I was clear of the Class Bravo airspace; at least that's what I thought at the time; and responded with 'Roger; we will remain clear of the Class Bravo; [Aircraft X]'. Approximately one minute passed and Chicago Approach called again with '[Aircraft X]; you are still in the Bravo airspace without authorization;' or similar words. This was the first moment that I realized that the controller was telling me that I was already in the Bravo airspace. I looked at my sectional and realized my mistake; which I will explain below; and immediately descended below 3;600 ft. By reviewing my track log in ForeFlight; it appears that I was in Bravo airspace; unauthorized; for approximately 1 minute 40 seconds.After having time to review the situation after my flight; I now realize how this error occurred; and what I can do in the future to ensure that it doesn't happen again. I had flown into ZZZ earlier in the day. I had previewed my planned flight; including all airspace enroute; thoroughly before my flight. I landed at ZZZ without event and went to a brief business meeting nearby. When I returned to the airport to prepare for my flight back; I did a preflight on my aircraft and prepared for my return route. I was not in a hurry and took ample time to prepare for the flight. What I now realize; but didn't at the time; was that I was simply zoomed in too far when I was looking at the Chicago area portion of my flight on the sectional. This caused me to focus on the ORD 3;000-10;000 ft. tier to my north and MDW's Class C airspace to my northeast. What I failed to realize was that I would be taking-off under a 3;600-10;000 ft. shelf of ORD's Class B airspace. I am still surprised; and embarrassed; that I missed what should have been a major consideration for my flight. To compound the situation; I mistakenly interpreted ATC's first call to me about the Bravo airspace as a 'reminder' that I was near the Bravo airspace; and I had not been given permission to enter. When I looked at my position during this first call from ATC; I now realize that I was looking at the 3;000-10;000 ft. shelf to my north and the MDW Class C airspace to my northeast; and ensuring that I was staying clear of that airspace.It is obvious that I am at fault for breaching the Class B airspace; and have learned a valuable lesson. I must ensure that I am looking at the 'big picture' of my flight; along with the details. Additionally; if I would have looked at the profile feature of my flight on ForeFlight; which I did for my initial flight earlier in the day; I would have clearly seen that my flight path would have taken me through the Class B airspace.There is also one additional action that I believe would have helped to resolve this situation more quickly: if ATC would have used language in their first call telling me that I had already breached the Bravo airspace; I would have realized at that time that there was an issue that needed to be resolved immediately. As it happened; I simply took ATC's first call as a 'courtesy' reminder that I was close to Bravo airspace and that I did not have permission to enter. While I should not have assumed that the call was just precautionary; being told directly that I was in violation would have helped resolve the issue much sooner.
C182 pilot reported entering Class B airspace without a clearance.