Narrative:

The following is a narrative for a deviation from ATC clearance for weather avoidance. We were operating under FAA part 91 on a passenger service flight. The departure airport was [an uncontrolled airport]. At this location there is no VHF frequency to obtain ATC clearance; which must be obtained via phone call to a flight service station. The weather conditions were day VMC with a line of thunderstorms approximately 10 miles north northwest of the field extending from southwest to northeast. It was relatively clear to the east and south; and conditions overhead the field were VFR/VMC. Charlortte douglas international airport class B airspace was nearby. This airspace started at 4;000 feet and above in this sector.our clearance was obtained; we started the aircraft; and taxied out to the departing runway. Our clearance was: upon departure; turn right direct mashi intersection; then as filed; climb and maintain 4;000 feet; expect FL310 in 10 minutes. We departed within our clearance window; and immediately after takeoff; we saw lightning at about our two o'clock position. For safety reasons; we elected to make a left turn back around to the airport and then proceed on course maintaining VFR. Once over the airport at 4;000 feet; we contacted atlanta center. We explained that our current heading was taking us towards thunderstorms; and they told us to contact charlotte departure with our request.we switched frequencies and explained our situation to charlotte; requesting a right turn to 090 degrees for weather avoidance. The controller said unable due to a charlotte arrival corridor; turn heading 040 degrees. We explained this was turning us further towards the thunderstorms and would not be able to stay on this heading for very long. Approximately 30 seconds later we requested another turn to the east as we were heading towards thunderstorms. The controller again said unable due to the charlotte arrival corridor; climb and maintain 7;000 feet. During the climb; we explained that weather was directly ahead and we needed an immediate turn. The controller gave us a heading of 340 degrees which turned us further towards the line of thunderstorms that were immediately ahead. We replied; unable due to weather. At this point to avoid flying into a line of thunderstorms; we keyed the mic and said we are making an immediate left turn to a heading of 180 degrees for weather avoidance. We knew ATC didn't want us to go right; severe weather was immediately ahead and to our left; so our only option was to go back where we came from; which was to the south. As we were now heading south towards clt class B airspace; the controller handed us off to clt approach and stated 'good luck'.once with this next controller; who seemed surprised to hear from us; we explained who we were and what our situation was. He descended us to 4;000 feet and allowed us to turn east away from the weather. From that point on; other than occasional deviations around weather for the next hundred miles or so; the flight proceeded normally. I believe a combination of weather and ATC; who was either unable or unwilling to help us; contributed to this situation. Weather changes rapidly this time of year and we must all work together to keep a situation from deteriorating.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Corporate aircraft First Officer reported being unable to obtain clearance from Departure Control for a heading to clear thunderstorms in the vicinity of their departure airport. Crew requested and received clearance to turn back toward another Departure Control sector in order to avoid the thunderstorms.

Narrative: The following is a narrative for a deviation from ATC clearance for weather avoidance. We were operating under FAA part 91 on a passenger service flight. The departure airport was [an uncontrolled airport]. At this location there is no VHF frequency to obtain ATC clearance; which must be obtained via phone call to a flight service station. The weather conditions were day VMC with a line of thunderstorms approximately 10 miles north northwest of the field extending from southwest to northeast. It was relatively clear to the east and south; and conditions overhead the field were VFR/VMC. Charlortte Douglas International airport Class B airspace was nearby. This airspace started at 4;000 feet and above in this sector.Our clearance was obtained; we started the aircraft; and taxied out to the departing runway. Our clearance was: upon departure; turn right direct MASHI intersection; then as filed; climb and maintain 4;000 feet; expect FL310 in 10 minutes. We departed within our clearance window; and immediately after takeoff; we saw lightning at about our two o'clock position. For safety reasons; we elected to make a left turn back around to the airport and then proceed on course maintaining VFR. Once over the airport at 4;000 feet; we contacted Atlanta Center. We explained that our current heading was taking us towards thunderstorms; and they told us to contact Charlotte Departure with our request.We switched frequencies and explained our situation to Charlotte; requesting a right turn to 090 degrees for weather avoidance. The controller said unable due to a Charlotte arrival corridor; turn heading 040 degrees. We explained this was turning us further towards the thunderstorms and would not be able to stay on this heading for very long. Approximately 30 seconds later we requested another turn to the east as we were heading towards thunderstorms. The controller again said unable due to the Charlotte arrival corridor; climb and maintain 7;000 feet. During the climb; we explained that weather was directly ahead and we needed an immediate turn. The controller gave us a heading of 340 degrees which turned us further towards the line of thunderstorms that were immediately ahead. We replied; unable due to weather. At this point to avoid flying into a line of thunderstorms; we keyed the mic and said we are making an immediate left turn to a heading of 180 degrees for weather avoidance. We knew ATC didn't want us to go right; severe weather was immediately ahead and to our left; so our only option was to go back where we came from; which was to the south. As we were now heading south towards CLT Class B airspace; the controller handed us off to CLT approach and stated 'good luck'.Once with this next controller; who seemed surprised to hear from us; we explained who we were and what our situation was. He descended us to 4;000 feet and allowed us to turn east away from the weather. From that point on; other than occasional deviations around weather for the next hundred miles or so; the flight proceeded normally. I believe a combination of weather and ATC; who was either unable or unwilling to help us; contributed to this situation. Weather changes rapidly this time of year and we must all work together to keep a situation from deteriorating.

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.