Cessna 210 Centurion / Turbo Centurion 210C; 210D
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 1650; Flight Crew Type 475
Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace
Airspace Structure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
While departing WHP turned northbound from left downwind runway 12. intent was to remain below 3000 feet MSL and proceed to Mendenhall Pass to exit the area. This would keep me out of Class C airspace overlying the area around WHP. As I approached the pass I realized I had inadvertently climbed to 3;200 ft penetrating the Class C airspace. I immediately descended to below 3;000 ft MSL. I continued below the Class C. Once clear I began my climb while entering the pass. The primary cause of this incident was my inattention to situational awareness and allowing the aircraft to climb while engaged with a passenger in the aircraft who was having difficulty dealing with the light turbulence. Contributing factors included the aircraft not being trimmed for level flight; the Class C air space ending very near the mountains and requiring entry into the pass at an altitude 1;500 ft. below the mountain ridge height; which causes a desire to climb as you approach the mountains. This pass is narrow and rugged. As a pilot we desire to have as much altitude and horizontal space as possible to turn back toward lower terrain. The mountains rise rapidly from the valley floor; approximately 3;500 ft. in one mile. The ground in the pass is rugged and unsuitable for a forced landing. The Class C airspace in this area is not generally used for traffic at BUR except when wind conditions are out of the North. This occurs about 15 percent of the time and the pass experiences severe turbulence so using it is undesirable when that area is used for approaches to BUR.
Cessna T210 pilot reported an airspace violation departing WHP; citing terrain concerns as contributing.