PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 175; Flight Crew Type 175
Confusion
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Airspace Structure
VFR flight plan. Pilot had not flown in Los Angeles airspace prior to flight. Under SOCAL approach while flying from Gorman VOR to Burbank. ATC instructed VFR descent to no lower than 3000 ft while maintaining heading. After ATC advised course changes through Newhall pass to avoid traffic; pilot asked to contact Burbank tower. Burbank tower instructed pilot to use runway 15 and call in location when alongside Whiteman Airport (WHP). Visually sighted WHP on left and an airport directly ahead on 150 degree magnetic course and called Burbank tower to inform them starting descent on long final to runway 15. Burbank tower responded that I was lining up on Van Nuys airport; climb to 3000 and make a course correction to 180 magnetic; overfly Van Nuys and call in position once over airport. Complied with tower instructions and was cleared to land at Burbank on runway 8.Causes:-Pilot unfamiliarity with dense airspace-After course corrections to avoid traffic; pilot did not re-check course heading to Burbank. ATC assumed pilot was on correct heading.-High volume of ATC and tower radio traffic. Unable to quickly transmit pilot position reports.
PA28R pilot reported becoming confused during a VFR flight to BUR and lined up on VNY. BUR Tower detected the error and issued a new heading and climb back to assigned altitude.