Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 38; Flight Crew Total 425; Flight Crew Type 170
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Altitude Undershoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Chart Or Publication; Weather; Procedure
I'm a newly minted instrument pilot. This was actually my first flight in IMC since receiving my instrument rating. Enroute to RMG; I was navigating direct to JISET for the full approach RNAV 19 into RMG. About 8nm from JISET ATC said 'Maintain 4000 until established cleared for the RNAV 19 report inbound from JISET'. The published altitude for the hold at JISET is 3500 ft. About 2 miles from JISET. ATC asked my distance from JISET and then said 'I need to get a plane off ahead of you - hold at JISET.' I replied 'hold at JISET XXX.' I proceeded to JISET entered the hold and descended to 3500 FT- the published holding altitude. ATC asked 2 minutes later 'XXX what's your altitude' I replied 3500. ATC said 'I didn't clear you for 3500 then asked me to climb to 4000 FT - Which I did.It seems that communication was the main problem. Obviously when I was asked to hold my clearance was cancelled. ATC could have stated the holding altitude but more importantly I should have asked ATC to confirm the altitude he wanted me to hold at.
A pilot was cleared into holding at JISET on the RMG RNAV RWY 19 at 4;000 feet and descended to 3;500 feet; the minimum holding altitude. ATC directed him back to 4;000 feet because he was not cleared to descend.