Helicopter
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Rotorcraft
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 600
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Human Factors; Aircraft; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
I was flying a helicopter owned by government law enforcement in the vicinity of restricted area R-6316 for a Homeland Security mission. I was utilizing a panel installed Garmin GNS 430 (update expiration in 9 days) as guidance to approach and remain outside of R-6316. After approximately 30 minutes of flying a racetrack pattern near the east side of the restricted area; I contacted my dispatch and instructed them to call the Operations Center in order to request authorization for my aircraft to enter R-6316 so that I could continue my mission. Dispatch told me that authorization was denied. I acknowledged the denial and remained outside of the restricted area. Approximately 10 minutes later; dispatch informed me that [Operations] had called back and wanted to let me know that I was currently inside the boundary of R-6316 and that I needed to 'get out.' I verified my position on the GNS 430; then informed dispatch to tell [them] that my instruments were showing that I was not within the boundary of R-6316. The reply was that I needed to stay out of the restricted area and that 'they were watching me' (assuming they meant that they could see my position on radar since I was squawking a discrete transponder code). I reiterated to dispatch that my GPS was showing that the aircraft never went inside the boundary line of R-6316. Dispatch replied 'roger'. I continued my racetrack pattern for approximately 5 more minutes; then departed the area. During this mission; I paid very close attention to my GNS 430 and ensured that I never flew within the boundary of R-6316. I also visually verified my position by observing the aerostat mooring tower and keeping the required 2.5 mile radius distance.
A law enforcement helicopter pilot on a Homeland Security mission is informed that he is inside R-6316. However; he is using a Garmin 430 to avoid the airspace.