PA-24 Comanche
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 3700; Flight Crew Type 900
Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Weather; Airspace Structure
This flight was conducted in accordance with part 91 of the FAR. The aircraft was flown by myself and was on a long cross-country flight to Stella Maris Bahamas; conducted during daylight and in VFR conditions. The flight conditions had started to degrade during the flight sometime after a refuel stop; in Northern Florida. As many thunderstorms popped up enroute; I had to make may course changes to avoid IMC and thunderstorms; with onboard weather (XM) I was able to make tactical choices to head East and clear through the East Coast where the thunderstorm activity was significantly less. I had contacted Jacksonville Center for advisories enroute and as I was near Titusville; FL the ATC controller told me to turn South heading; I reaffirmed that I was not able to travel any further South as there was a level 4 thunderstorm within five miles of my position. At this point; there were few options; she stated I could climb or descend but none were on option as I was above class B airspace at 11;500 MSL and was not cleared and could have been in IMC if I had complied with instructions; my fault was that I did not see the restricted airspace to the East; R2934 and R2935 for the NASA launch facility. The weather constraints and issues with ATC; fighting them to keep them from sending me into a thunderstorm pushed me further South and into the restricted airspace. I penetrated the far North end of R2934 and R2935 in order to continue my flight but did not realize it until I was already half way through. At this point; the only option I had open for me was the restricted airspace. Knowing that NASA does not launch during IMC and coastal thunderstorms; I felt there were no actual conflicts with NASA at the time. I nor fully believe that when I travel in the summer through Florida; I should get a much earlier start before the summer pop-up thunderstorms cause me problems. I believe ATC should understand that unable means unable when dealing with severe weather conditions and give GA aircraft under VFR the same consideration that the airlines get.
PA24 pilot reported inadvertently entering restricted airspace while attempting to remain clear of clouds on a VFR cross country. VFR flight following with ZJX was being used.