Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 400; Flight Crew Type 400
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Human Factors; Procedure
I frequently use the Coastal Route to transition LAX Bravo headed North from Avalon (AVX) to Whiteman (WHP).  Typically; ATC handles the VNY transition just before WHP. On one recent occasion; I asked if I needed clearance through the VNY Class Delta; and the controller said no; that he could get me into Whiteman.Today; however; the controller vectored me out away from VNY due to traffic.  I continued to descend; as I always do.  Several minutes later; the controller (still on 134.2) said that I had entered or was about to VNY Class D airspace. I told him I thought he had cleared me and was vectoring me. He released me and told me to contact Van Nuys tower to transition. I did so and was granted a transition.It is possible I entered the Class D airspace while still with So. Cal; prior to talking with Van Nuys. Though I was always talking to someone; it is possible I was in Van Nuys airspace prior to two way contact.This was a lesson learned for me; that just because I'm with flight following being vectored; I still must get clearance on the way down or stay above airport airspace. This was not my understanding previously.
Pilot reports of flying VFR to WHP under flight following with SCT. SCT Controller advises pilot that Controller will help him all the way to WHP; then vectors the aircraft around VNY due to traffic. Pilot continues descent and then Controller advises pilot that aircraft entered the VNY class D airspace. Pilot was under the assumption that he had approval to descend into Class D as long as he told ATC about it and AATC would take care of the point out to VNY Tower.