SR20
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 592; Flight Crew Type 400
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Weather; Procedure; Human Factors
I filed for a VFR flight from FAT. While in initial climb visibility was limited due to heavy haze. I was able to see some cloud formations high above and had also briefed for the flight and expected scattered to broken skies over the Sierras. While in the climb I asked controller for a pop-up clearance. She asked what I meant. I stated that visibility was limited and I need to get an IFR clearance to get on top of or at least between layers. She then told me that would be approved and issued the clearance on V165. At no time did she say I must maintain VFR. I stated I would begin my climb and let her know when I was on top. While in IMC I encountered moderate icing. I stopped my climb and immediately contacted Oakland Center for their minimum vectoring altitude as I already was losing the performance of my aircraft and could no longer climb. The controller responded that the MEA for the area was 16000. I stated that I was in IMC and needed lower. She responded by telling me I not was supposed to be in IMC and that I had not been cleared to do so. She also continued to lecture me about what and how she had cleared me. I responded stating something to the effect that I don't really care at the moment; what I really wanted was to stay alive and that meant that I needed out of the ice now! She then told me I could turn back and to contact her when I was in VMC. Later she did give me a vector to avoid possible terrain. A few minutes later I broke out between broken layers and continued my flight back towards FAT VFR.
Cirrus SR20 pilot reported encountering icing conditions that forced a return to departure airport.