Narrative:

I took off with flight following. I plotted a course to the north east that looked like it would sufficiently avoid the highest terrain on my climb out and also get me out of the busy airspace as soon as possible. Shortly after takeoff; the tower told me to contact approach and to stay under 2500 feet until instructed otherwise. Due to heavy radio traffic; I was unable to make contact and be acknowledged by approach for several minutes; during which time my climb out was delayed. Finally; approach acknowledged my call and allowed me to begin my climb out above 2500. Approximately 4 or 5 minutes later the controller called to ask if I was familiar with the local terrain. Not being from that area I responded 'negative'. She then informed me that I was triggering a terrain alert. I was not in immediate danger of terrain collision and I had sufficient room to perform a 180 degree turn if it appeared I could not gain sufficient altitude to clear the terrain ahead. Nevertheless; I decided it was best to ask the controller's advice. She told me she was about to loose my signal and transferred me to another controller. Upon making contact with the next controller; I was immediately asked if I could turn south without delay. I responded 'affirmative' and began the course reversal immediately. I asked the controller if I could maneuver in the area until I gained sufficient altitude to clear the terrain and proceed on course. This had been my plan from the beginning as there was sufficient room in the area for me to make a 360 degree climbing turn without coming close to the terrain. However; the controller asked that I proceed on a vector of 100 and continue climbing until told to do otherwise. He also told me that I had 'scared him to death'. I did as instructed; and was soon handed off to another controller who made no mention of the terrain alert. The vector I had been provided took me through a pass and out of the [busy airspace]. The remainder of the flight proceeded without event.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Beach Bonanza Pilot reported that ATC informed him that he triggered a terrain alert.

Narrative: I took off with flight following. I plotted a course to the North East that looked like it would sufficiently avoid the highest terrain on my climb out and also get me out of the busy airspace as soon as possible. Shortly after takeoff; the tower told me to contact approach and to stay under 2500 feet until instructed otherwise. Due to heavy radio traffic; I was unable to make contact and be acknowledged by approach for several minutes; during which time my climb out was delayed. Finally; approach acknowledged my call and allowed me to begin my climb out above 2500. Approximately 4 or 5 minutes later the controller called to ask if I was familiar with the local terrain. Not being from that area I responded 'negative'. She then informed me that I was triggering a terrain alert. I was not in immediate danger of terrain collision and I had sufficient room to perform a 180 degree turn if it appeared I could not gain sufficient altitude to clear the terrain ahead. Nevertheless; I decided it was best to ask the controller's advice. She told me she was about to loose my signal and transferred me to another controller. Upon making contact with the next controller; I was immediately asked if I could turn south without delay. I responded 'affirmative' and began the course reversal immediately. I asked the controller if I could maneuver in the area until I gained sufficient altitude to clear the terrain and proceed on course. This had been my plan from the beginning as there was sufficient room in the area for me to make a 360 degree climbing turn without coming close to the terrain. However; the controller asked that I proceed on a vector of 100 and continue climbing until told to do otherwise. He also told me that I had 'scared him to death'. I did as instructed; and was soon handed off to another controller who made no mention of the terrain alert. The vector I had been provided took me through a Pass and out of the [busy airspace]. The remainder of the flight proceeded without event.

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.