Narrative:

While operating a scenic flight under part 91 from kmyf; I inadvertently entered into san's class B airspace prior to receiving an explicit clearance to enter the airspace. I had requested a 'taxiway delta transition' from myf clearance delivery and was then issued taxi instructions to runway 28L. Upon requesting a take-off clearance from myf tower; I was issued instructions to report 1 mile from the mzb VOR; told that the taxiway delta transition was approved and then cleared for take-off. While approaching the mzb VOR at 1500 ft. MSL (the class B airspace is only 5 nm from myf); I did not receive a hand-off to san tower as expected. The frequency was very congested. After my second or third request for a frequency change; the request was authorized and I contacted san tower. I realized that I was close to class B airspace; when my frequency change was finally issued. When I reported level at 1500 for the taxiway delta transition; the controller asked that in the future that I contract them prior to entering class B. I told the controller that I thought I was authorized to enter the class B based on my instructions from myf tower. I was then told that myf cannot provide a clearance into san's airspace; and that only san can provide the appropriate clearance. I continued the taxiway delta transition and remainder of the flight without further incidence. I have flown the taxiway delta transition several times; and the last time was approximately 2 years ago. On my previous flight I was issued a transponder code from myf and told that san was expecting me prior to taking off; neither occurred on this particular flight. Regardless; I should have verified that I was explicitly cleared into class B; and should have remained outside the airspace until then. Several factors contributed to my loss of situational awareness; including:the short distance from myf to the class B airspace did not provide very much reaction time. The frequency congestion prevented me from querying myf tower for clarification and delayed my hand-off to san tower to receive a class B clearance. My error at the time thinking that my authorization for the taxiway delta transition from myf tower amounted to a clearance into san's airspace. Additionally; I should have specifically reported '1 mile from mzb' instead of asking the myf tower controller; 'do you want me talking to san tower?' the incidence underscores the importance of never assuming anything; the use of precise phraseology; and always verifying that one hears the words; 'cleared into class bravo.'

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Pilot reports of a Class Bravo airspace violation in which he thought he had clearance to enter but according to a SAN Tower controller he did not.

Narrative: While operating a scenic flight under Part 91 from KMYF; I inadvertently entered into SAN's Class B airspace prior to receiving an explicit clearance to enter the airspace. I had requested a 'Taxiway Delta Transition' from MYF Clearance Delivery and was then issued taxi instructions to Runway 28L. Upon requesting a take-off clearance from MYF Tower; I was issued instructions to report 1 mile from the MZB VOR; told that the Taxiway Delta Transition was approved and then cleared for take-off. While approaching the MZB VOR at 1500 ft. MSL (the Class B airspace is only 5 nm from MYF); I did not receive a hand-off to SAN Tower as expected. The frequency was very congested. After my second or third request for a frequency change; the request was authorized and I contacted SAN Tower. I realized that I was close to Class B airspace; when my frequency change was finally issued. When I reported level at 1500 for the Taxiway Delta Transition; the controller asked that in the future that I contract them prior to entering Class B. I told the controller that I thought I was authorized to enter the Class B based on my instructions from MYF Tower. I was then told that MYF cannot provide a clearance into SAN's airspace; and that only SAN can provide the appropriate clearance. I continued the Taxiway Delta Transition and remainder of the flight without further incidence. I have flown the Taxiway Delta Transition several times; and the last time was approximately 2 years ago. On my previous flight I was issued a transponder code from MYF and told that SAN was expecting me prior to taking off; neither occurred on this particular flight. Regardless; I should have verified that I was explicitly cleared into Class B; and should have remained outside the airspace until then. Several factors contributed to my loss of situational awareness; including:The short distance from MYF to the Class B airspace did not provide very much reaction time. The frequency congestion prevented me from querying MYF Tower for clarification and delayed my hand-off to SAN Tower to receive a Class B clearance. My error at the time thinking that my authorization for the Taxiway Delta Transition from MYF Tower amounted to a clearance into SAN's airspace. Additionally; I should have specifically reported '1 mile from MZB' instead of asking the MYF tower controller; 'Do you want me talking to SAN Tower?' The incidence underscores the importance of never assuming anything; the use of precise phraseology; and always verifying that one hears the words; 'Cleared into Class Bravo.'

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.