Bonanza 36
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 3050; Flight Crew Type 600
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Workload; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
I was flying VFR with flight following to TMB at 2;000 feet. I asked approach for an RNAV 9R approach and received a clearance for that approach. I was on an assigned heading of 180 and was approaching the extended center line of the runway and waiting for the approach controller to give me a turn inbound; but felt he had forgotten about me and so I asked for a turn inbound. Approach gave me the inbound turn and instructed me to contact TMB tower; which I immediately did. The local controller at TMB told me I should have contacted him before entering the TMB Class D airspace. Assuming (without knowing) I entered TMB's Class D airspace before contacting the local controller; it seems to me the approach controller should have coordinated with TMB local controller. I was communicating with the appropriate ATC controller if I entered Class D airspace before contacting TMB tower. I so advised the local controller.
Pilot reported being chastised by tower for entering Class Delta. Pilot was under flight following from Approach Control and told to contact Tower.