GA pilot is confused with release procedure and departures prior to IFR release time.

Attributes
ACN	616645
Time
Date	200405
Day	Sun
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : 73j.airport
State Reference	SC
Altitude	agl single value : 0
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	military facility : nbc.milfac
Operator	general aviation : corporate
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, Low Wing, 1 Eng, Retractable Gear
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	other
Flight Phase	climbout : takeoff ground : preflight
Route In Use	departure : other published ifr departure
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : corporate
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	controller : radar pilot : atp pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine
Experience	controller radar : 26 flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 6500 flight time type : 500
ASRS Report	616645
Person 2
Affiliation	government : military
Function	controller : approach
Events
Anomaly	airspace violation : entry non adherence : clearance
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance controller : issued advisory
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew Other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance ATC Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Called beaufort approach control on my cell phone while in the run-up area for runway 25 at 73J for my IFR clearance to spa (spartanburg, sc). I had the engine running at the time I received the clearance. I read back the clearance with the void time (4 mins) and then departed on runway 25 and called beaufort approach control (118.45) only to be told to maintain VFR and that my 'release time' was 20 mins past the hour (another 3 mins). I maintained VFR, was radar idented, cleared as filed to 6000 ft. I read back 20 past the hour as a void time, not a 'release time.' I would suggest the elimination of 'release time.' either issue the clearance with a void time or do not give the clearance, but call back later to avoid confusion. Also, an rco at 73J would be helpful.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: GA PLT IS CONFUSED WITH RELEASE PROC AND DEPS PRIOR TO IFR RELEASE TIME.

Narrative: CALLED BEAUFORT APCH CTL ON MY CELL PHONE WHILE IN THE RUN-UP AREA FOR RWY 25 AT 73J FOR MY IFR CLRNC TO SPA (SPARTANBURG, SC). I HAD THE ENG RUNNING AT THE TIME I RECEIVED THE CLRNC. I READ BACK THE CLRNC WITH THE VOID TIME (4 MINS) AND THEN DEPARTED ON RWY 25 AND CALLED BEAUFORT APCH CTL (118.45) ONLY TO BE TOLD TO MAINTAIN VFR AND THAT MY 'RELEASE TIME' WAS 20 MINS PAST THE HR (ANOTHER 3 MINS). I MAINTAINED VFR, WAS RADAR IDENTED, CLRED AS FILED TO 6000 FT. I READ BACK 20 PAST THE HR AS A VOID TIME, NOT A 'RELEASE TIME.' I WOULD SUGGEST THE ELIMINATION OF 'RELEASE TIME.' EITHER ISSUE THE CLRNC WITH A VOID TIME OR DO NOT GIVE THE CLRNC, BUT CALL BACK LATER TO AVOID CONFUSION. ALSO, AN RCO AT 73J WOULD BE HELPFUL.

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.