Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 36000; Flight Crew Type 1500
Training / Qualification; Distraction; Confusion
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace
Human Factors; Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related; Airspace Structure
This was a training flight to return the student (a 1;500 hour pilot) to flight status after a long layoff due to the COVID virus. We had flown under Instrument Flight Rules from ZZZ1 to ZZZ2 to ZZZ3 to ZZZ4 instrument approaches at each airport and a full stop landing at ZZZ4.The trainee indicated that he would like to view from the air some property that he operated northwest of ZZZ4. I briefed the trainee on the procedures that we would need to follow to transit under VFR including the necessity to communicate with Air Traffic Control.On departure we were cleared 'on course' and I requested that the trainee to turn to a northerly heading to avoid the traffic at the nearby airport (ZZZ5). The student was; in my opinion; somewhat confused with trying to orient himself using an iPad device while I kept watch for traffic. We were also concerned with cloud ceiling that was lower than expected. Maintaining 500 feet below the clouds put the flight at 2;800 feet. Subsequently; we inadvertently entered the outer area of the Class C airspace at ZZZ. As soon as I realized the error I directed the trainee to immediately take up a heading that would expeditiously clear the Class C area. After clearing the area we were able to climb and proceed to our destination ZZZ1.The error that led to this deviation was my belief that the trainee understood the factors involved in VFR flight in the area. He did not. We have since reviewed the flight several times. A simple communication to ATC would have mitigated the error. A factor to consider was the trainee's use of the iPad in what should have been a total 'heads up' situation. A more complete pre-flight briefing would have kept this from happening. Additionally; these kinds of transgressions might be minimized if the entire area were to be one Class B. All aircraft would be under positive control. Risk would be minimized.
This was a training flight after a long lapse due to the COVID virus shutdown. We had done approaches at ZZZ1 and ZZZ2 and ZZZ3 with a full stop landing at ZZZ3. On taxi out for departure for ZZZ4 we discussed the Class C airspace at the ZZZ airport. We agreed that we would climb above the airspace. During the climbout; the pilot not flying was monitoring outside for traffic while I navigated using primarily an iPad. I observed some lower clouds in front of us and in my desire to remain 500 feet below the clouds; we inadvertently entered the outer area of the Class C airspace which went from 1;500 feet to 4;100 feet. My instructor; upon seeing the error; gave me a heading to expeditiously exit the airspace. The flight continued in VFR conditions to our destination ZZZ4.This incident would not have occurred if I had better prepared for the flight and if I had communicated with ATC upon departure from ZZZ. An additional factor was the 'head down' aspect of using the iPad.My instructor and I discussed the deviation on the ground and the factors leading up to it with emphasis on the rules and procedures for flight in Class C airspace.
Instructor and trainee pilots reported experiencing an airspace incursion into Class C airspace.