Narrative:

We were flying from to palm beach; florida. We obtained clearance which was 'radar vectors to palm beach; climb and maintain 2;000 feet.' we configured the aircraft altitude window for 2;000 feet and taxied for take off. When we were number one for take off; we were given the following clearance.' taxi across the hold short line and taxi to the edge.' I responded with a line-up and wait response. The tower controller said he could not 'legally give us that clearance; taxi to the edge' (phraseology I have never encountered in 40 years of flying. So; we stopped just before proceeding onto the runway at the 'edge' of initial side of the runway. We were then quickly cleared for takeoff and the takeoff was done normally and without incident. At about 1;200 feet in the straight out climb the controller instructed us to 'climb and maintain 5;000 feet; contact miami approach.' I read back the climb to 5;000 feet; adjusted the altitude window and confirmed that we both had heard the same thing; and then switched to 'departure.' when I did; I immediately recognized that we were on an ATIS frequency; so I toggled the radio back to tower and asked him for the departure frequency again. At this point he told us that we were to maintain 2;000 feet; which we immediately began correcting to; and I quizzed him that he had cleared us to 5;000 feet to which he stated 'I never cleared you to 5000 feet.' he then gave us the departure frequency and we contact miami departure. We looked at each other as we both clearly heard him say 5;000 feet; and I read back clearly 5;000 feet. By the time we had contacted miami departure; we had leveled at 2;000 feet. All of this occurred within 5 miles of the airport and less than 3;000 feet in altitude. Suggestions; easy; ensure that ATC controllers hear and understand the read back so that when they issue a wrong instruction; they can be caught in the read back of said wrong instruction.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Corporate jet was question by ATC regarding assigned altitude; the reporter's insisting ATC issued the subject altitude.

Narrative: We were flying from to Palm Beach; Florida. We obtained clearance which was 'RADAR Vectors to Palm Beach; climb and maintain 2;000 feet.' We configured the aircraft altitude window for 2;000 feet and taxied for take off. When we were number one for take off; we were given the following clearance.' Taxi across the hold short line and taxi to the EDGE.' I responded with a line-up and wait response. The Tower Controller said he could not 'legally give us that clearance; taxi to the EDGE' (Phraseology I have never encountered in 40 years of flying. So; we stopped just before proceeding onto the runway at the 'edge' of initial side of the runway. We were then quickly cleared for takeoff and the takeoff was done normally and without incident. At about 1;200 feet in the straight out climb the Controller instructed us to 'Climb and maintain 5;000 feet; contact Miami approach.' I read back the climb to 5;000 feet; adjusted the altitude window and confirmed that we both had heard the same thing; and then switched to 'Departure.' When I did; I immediately recognized that we were on an ATIS frequency; so I toggled the radio back to Tower and asked him for the departure frequency again. At this point he told us that we were to maintain 2;000 feet; which we immediately began correcting to; and I quizzed him that he had cleared us to 5;000 feet to which he stated 'I never cleared you to 5000 feet.' He then gave us the departure frequency and we contact Miami departure. We looked at each other as we both clearly heard him say 5;000 feet; and I read back clearly 5;000 feet. By the time we had contacted Miami Departure; we had leveled at 2;000 feet. All of this occurred within 5 miles of the airport and less than 3;000 feet in altitude. Suggestions; easy; ensure that ATC controllers hear and understand the read back so that when they issue a wrong instruction; they can be caught in the read back of said wrong instruction.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.