Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 3000; Flight Crew Type 400
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Procedure; Human Factors; Weather
I filed an IFR plan from VPZ routing CRG OMN. I received a confirmation email form with the expected routing as filed. This trip is one we routinely take. I called SBN clearance on the ground transmitter frequency and received the IFR clearance as filed; 3;000; expect 350 in 10 and contact SBN on 132.05 and hold for release say runway; which I replied 27. We also received a Zulu time which I misunderstood as a void time. I taxied to Runway 27 and called SBN clearance again and I had a different person. They gave me the clearance again; but I did not hear anything about a hold. I departed in VMC conditions and called SBN in the air on 132.05 but they were surprised to hear from me and asked for an ident on code 1354 as assigned in the clearance. SBN gave me heading 090 and radar contact. The SBN Controller then advised that we would have to hold for 45 minutes; we requested a return to VPZ. After landing I called SBN clearance on the ground to ask what was going on. I was advised that Florida airspace was not accepting any flights and to keep the same clearance and code and to call back in 45 minutes. I called back got the clearance and completed the flight. I was confused by the expect departure clearance time [EDCT] as I have never heard that phrase before and thought we had a void time. If SBN had mentioned a ground hold the instructions would have been clearer.
EA-500 pilot departing VPZ is given an expected departure clearance time with his clearance; but is not familiar with the phrase. After takeoff ATC assigns a 45 minute hold due to Florida airspace not accepting any aircraft. Reporter elects to return to VPZ to wait out the EDCT.