Cheetah; Tiger; Traveler AA5 Series
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 2300; Flight Crew Type 1950
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
The purpose of my flight was simply to fly the plane for the first time in three weeks and have breakfast. On my return flight I inadvertently violated a TFR in place at the time. I use Foreflight on my iPad and a Stratus device to receive real-time information on TFRs in effect; however; I did not realize the TFR advisory feature was turned off on my device at the time. I also receive occasional email notifications from AOPA advising of local TFRs - as far as I know; none were issued prior to my flight today.I first came to realize that I had violated the TFR once I was back on the ground and the controller asked me to get a number for ATC related to a possible deviation. When I called; I was told to hold on as the person I needed to speak to at ATC 'was on the line with someone else who violated the TFR'. Before the person came on the line I checked my Foreflight; and then realized the TFR advisor feature was turned OFF; and once it was on; I saw the subject TFR which is directly between the two airports. Prior to the flight I had used Foreflight to check the current and forecast weather; but did not request a full briefing as I considered the flight to be local; as a result I was not alerted to the fact there was a TFR in effect along my route of flight. After departing I changed frequencies to Unicom since I did not expect to pass through any controlled airspace and did not expect to speak to any controllers prior to arrival. On my return flight; I similarly did not expect to pass through any controlled airspace; and did not use flight following.After learning of my violation and speaking with ATC on the phone; I immediately called the Safety Director of our Club; who is also a FAA FAAST instructor with the FSDO. We discussed the incident at length and in addition to the obvious violation; I understand the actions I failed to take on this particular flight:1) I did not get a full briefing; despite the relatively short (distance and duration) of the flight - if I had; I would likely have been aware of the TFR.2) I did not confirm the TFR function of my onboard weather system was switched to the ON position.3) I did not use flight following (which I normally do if not on an IFR flight plan) - had I been speaking to controllers; I would certainly have been alerted to the TFR if I was at risk of violating.4) I did not monitor 121.5; which I understand is mandatory if possible - I understand I might have been instructed to remain clear of the area.Another factor which I believe affected my judgment/performance: I have been very busy at work and have significant additional stresses/demands in my life - I wanted to take a short; fun; uncomplicated flight to relax and enjoy the morning before the bad weather expected later in the day. While I normally would use flight following for all non-IFR flights; I preferred to stay off the radio in what I thought to be uncontrolled airspace. I was comfortable that I was operating safely from a traffic perspective; as I have both TIS and ADS-B systems onboard the plane as well as the VFR weather conditions at the time.
Grumman AA5B Tiger pilot reported being informed; after returning from a flight that he had violated a TFR. Foreflight on an iPad was being used for navigation and airspace identification; but the TFR function had been inadvertently switched off.