SR20
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 350; Flight Crew Type 300
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
I was on an IFR flight plan [departing SMO]. I was told by the Tower that it will take me about 15 minutes to get my release. After about 15 minutes I was asked to make way to let a Gulfstream 200 pass ahead and I was told that I will leave immediately behind the Gulfstream as we had the same release time. I have moved away and made room to the Gulfstream. [A] few minutes later [the] Gulfstream was cleared to take off and I was cleared for take off. I was warned about the wake turbulence by Tower and observed where the Gulfstream took off so that I [could] take off before its lift off point. As the Gulfstream departed I waited a minute so that I don't lose my IFR release time. I did a short field takeoff to allow us to rotate well before the Gulfstream's lift off point. We took off before that point and as I was climbing I started getting concerned about the wake turbulence as my climb rate was going to put me directly under the wings of the departing plane. We started feeling the turbulence caused by Gulfstream's wake and I immediately deviated left to put my plane out [of] the wake zone. I was then transferred to departure by the Tower.When Departure picked me up I was asked which direction I was headed; I gave my heading and was immediately asked to turn right 270 followed by turn right 290 which I immediately executed despite knowing that it would put me directly back to the wake zone. I was also aware that LAX was on my left and I needed to comply with the departure procedure I was given. [A] few minutes later I was asked to call the Supervisor of the facility and I did so when I landed. He explained me that I was about to violate the LAX departure zone with my left deviation and this airspace sees many such issues causing a chain reactions of delays and other potential dangers. I explained him that I was not familiar with the departure procedure; it was my first time but I did the deviation to avoid the wake turbulence and maybe I should have turned right instead. He told me that it would actually be not such a great idea as this would have caused other problems. A number of factors led to this situation. 1. I was not familiar with the departure procedure. 2. We waited on the ground with engine running for more than 20 minutes to get the release and I was afraid that if I didn't expedite my departure I would lose my IFR release and cause further delay and frustration. 3. I was ahead of the Gulfstream and had to give way. 4. I was told that we had same release time causing me to act fast. 5. I was cleared to take off immediately after the Gulfstream without the appropriate waiting time. 6. I had additional pressure with my wife and my son with me in the plane and I wanted to avoid at all costs a wake turbulence accident killing us all. 7. When I was transferred to departure I did not mention the reason of my deviation.What should I have done? 1. Cancel IFR and depart VFR with flight following: Weather was VFR and there was no reason for me to fly IFR. Had I cancelled IFR I would have departed immediately well ahead of the Gulfstream. 2. Wait longer on the ground before taking off behind the Gulfstream. I should have asked for a 3 minute delay and asked the Tower whether I would still have my IFR release at that time. 3. Let departure know why I was deviating left.What could Tower could do better? 1. Let me go first before the Gulfstream. 2. Don't pressure me indirectly to tell me that we have the same release time. 3. Give me time to wait for me to depart safely behind the Gulfstream rather then just issue a caution for wake turbulence. What could departure have done better? 1. Ask me why I am heading left instead of putting me back in the departing planes wake immediately instead of assuming that it was a misinterpretation of the departure clearance.
SR20 pilot reported encountering wake vortex on departure from SMO in trail of a G200.  When he deviated to avoid the wake ATC became concerned and issued a vector to stay clear of LAX traffic.