Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 175; Flight Crew Total 540; Flight Crew Type 365
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Fatigue
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was flying on an aerial survey mission. I climbed above 9;000 ft. for a brief moment in the Class B 9000 ft. shelf. I was on flight following with TRACON during this time as well. I should have just requested my cruising altitude of 10;500 ft. and picked up a clearance. It was early in the morning and fatigue played a role in this I believe. Working as an instructor and an aerial survey pilot; I was a bit run down and probably not functioning to my top caliber. I was within legal work and resting requirements; however; this incident taught me fatigue is a real thing and affects human performance. Having ADSB in the aircraft I was flying; I made sure I was clear of traffic; and there was no traffic alert given by TRACON or by the ADSB inside the aircraft. I descended immediately once I realized I went above 9;000 ft. MSL for a brief moment. During this time I was also inputting a way point into my GPS. Being on a solo mission; this taught me a lot about single pilot resource management and how a pilot like myself can easily become distracted. I now know to never multi task while navigating complex airspace. If I need to multi task; I will pick up a clearance so I do not have to worry about multiple tasks. ATC did not mention anything to me; however; I quickly descended. This was a learning experience for me and taught me how it can happen to anybody. I will use this as a learning experience for myself and my students to make sure it does not happen ever again.
C172 pilot reported entering Class B airspace without a clearance.