Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75; Flight Crew Total 25000; Flight Crew Type 1000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
Listened to ATIS prior to taxi. It included a note that Tower had ceased operations; along with the automated 1-minute weather data. I tuned and monitored CTAF frequency and began taxi toward the runway in use. Shortly after I entered the movement area and joined the parallel taxiway; Ground Control asked if I was on frequency and said the Tower was still open. I advised that I had just listened to the ATIS which stated the Tower was closed. He said he puts that up a few minutes prior to the actual closure so that he doesn't forget; and issued a taxi clearance to the active runway. Tower closed for real shortly after my takeoff.Many local towers are operating during unusual hours due to the pandemic; and this is one of them. Still; maybe wait until the Tower is actually closed prior to posting the ATIS which says it's closed.
Pilot reported listening to the ATIS which stated the Tower was closed; and started a taxi towards the runway when Ground called the pilot and advised Tower was still open.