PA32 pilot had altitude deviation in fmy class D airspace.

Attributes
ACN	484630
Time
Date	200009
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : apf.airport
State Reference	FL
Altitude	msl bound lower : 1600 msl bound upper : 3000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : rsw.tracon tower : bos.tower
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Route In Use	approach : instrument non precision
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 40 flight time total : 336 flight time type : 40
ASRS Report	484630
Person 2
Affiliation	other
Function	other personnel other
Qualification	pilot : cfi pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 109 flight time total : 4657 flight time type : 4500
ASRS Report	484802
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude non adherence : clearance non adherence : far non adherence : published procedure other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued alert none taken : detected after the fact
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was approaching the VOR at naples for a full VOR runway 5 approach. Controller told me to maintain 3000 ft (which I was at the time). I crossed the VOR and established myself outbound, at which time I descended to 1800 ft. I was told then by the controller that I had violated altitude. I was confused, since I thought I could descend to published altitude when established. I now realize that the controller, by saying 'maintain' 3000 ft, I should do so, even though I am established. I know now that he has to clear me to VOR runway 5 approach before I can descend. A lesson well learned. The problem occurred because I did not question the 'maintain' statement from approach control. I should always ask if unsure. Supplemental information from acn 484802: airplane owner, instrument rated pilot misunderstood 'maintain 3000 ft' and began descent to published en route altitude after overflying cyress VOR (located on field at naples airport). As flight instructor, safety pilot, I questioned his descent at same time as fmy's call to us.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA32 PLT HAD ALTDEV IN FMY CLASS D AIRSPACE.

Narrative: I WAS APCHING THE VOR AT NAPLES FOR A FULL VOR RWY 5 APCH. CTLR TOLD ME TO MAINTAIN 3000 FT (WHICH I WAS AT THE TIME). I CROSSED THE VOR AND ESTABLISHED MYSELF OUTBOUND, AT WHICH TIME I DSNDED TO 1800 FT. I WAS TOLD THEN BY THE CTLR THAT I HAD VIOLATED ALT. I WAS CONFUSED, SINCE I THOUGHT I COULD DSND TO PUBLISHED ALT WHEN ESTABLISHED. I NOW REALIZE THAT THE CTLR, BY SAYING 'MAINTAIN' 3000 FT, I SHOULD DO SO, EVEN THOUGH I AM ESTABLISHED. I KNOW NOW THAT HE HAS TO CLR ME TO VOR RWY 5 APCH BEFORE I CAN DSND. A LESSON WELL LEARNED. THE PROB OCCURRED BECAUSE I DID NOT QUESTION THE 'MAINTAIN' STATEMENT FROM APCH CTL. I SHOULD ALWAYS ASK IF UNSURE. SUPPLEMENTAL INFO FROM ACN 484802: AIRPLANE OWNER, INST RATED PLT MISUNDERSTOOD 'MAINTAIN 3000 FT' AND BEGAN DSCNT TO PUBLISHED ENRTE ALT AFTER OVERFLYING CYRESS VOR (LOCATED ON FIELD AT NAPLES ARPT). AS FLT INSTRUCTOR, SAFETY PLT, I QUESTIONED HIS DSCNT AT SAME TIME AS FMY'S CALL TO US.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.