Narrative:

I was flying a helicopter for video work in the boston area. Initially; we transited the class B south of the airspace. Then transited back from the south to the north for some more work; just outside to the bravo on the north side. I told the tower; although outside of the airspace we would continue to monitor with them. After completing that work; the customer asked us to video tape some activity at the state house; which borders the boston common. I called the tower; requested clearance back into the bravo for that destination. I was then cleared to do so. I then requested to operate at 1;500 ft. The normal altitude is 1;000. I was also cleared for this. Approximately 2 miles west of our destination; I called the tower and requested to hold between the boston common and the 8 DME to the west for noise abatement; while we were waiting for the event to start. I was cleared for that request. Upon reaching the boston common; I started to make a 180 degree turn back to the west and head for the 8 DME. The controller then pointed out traffic departing logan. While I was looking for the traffic the controller questioned where I was working; which was well inside the boundaries that I had requested and was cleared for. He said that I could not be off the departure end of the runway at that altitude and must descend to 800 ft. After clearing beneath me; I started a descent to 800 ft. I then questioned the controller about the altitude. I thought I may have missed something in the earlier clearance. But I am 99% sure that I did not. We work regularly at the altitude of 1;500 over the boston common with 27 and 33 departures. The only thing that I can think of is that the controller was not familiar with the site picture from the tower. And again the controller was working two frequencies at the same time. Looking back; as busy as he was; I am not sure he was completely aware of what he was clearing me for. To help this situation; I feel that the controller should have taken a minute to clarify in his own mind what I was going to do and if not; question it before we got there. Also; when there is the slightest doubt that the controller is not understanding what he is clearing me for; I will reconfirm the clearance with them; no matter how often and normal a particular request is.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Helicopter pilot requests clearance into BOS Class B airspace over the downtown area at 1;500 FT which is granted by the Tower. The reporter is later instructed to descend to 800 FT by the Tower; citing conflicts with Runway 27 departures.

Narrative: I was flying a helicopter for video work in the Boston area. Initially; we transited the Class B south of the airspace. Then transited back from the south to the north for some more work; just outside to the Bravo on the north side. I told the Tower; although outside of the airspace we would continue to monitor with them. After completing that work; the customer asked us to video tape some activity at the state house; which borders the Boston Common. I called the Tower; requested clearance back into the Bravo for that destination. I was then cleared to do so. I then requested to operate at 1;500 FT. The normal altitude is 1;000. I was also cleared for this. Approximately 2 miles west of our destination; I called the Tower and requested to hold between the Boston Common and the 8 DME to the west for noise abatement; while we were waiting for the event to start. I was cleared for that request. Upon reaching the Boston Common; I started to make a 180 degree turn back to the west and head for the 8 DME. The controller then pointed out traffic departing Logan. While I was looking for the traffic the Controller questioned where I was working; which was well inside the boundaries that I had requested and was cleared for. He said that I could not be off the departure end of the runway at that altitude and must descend to 800 FT. After clearing beneath me; I started a descent to 800 FT. I then questioned the controller about the altitude. I thought I may have missed something in the earlier clearance. But I am 99% sure that I did not. We work regularly at the altitude of 1;500 over the Boston Common with 27 and 33 departures. The only thing that I can think of is that the controller was not familiar with the site picture from the Tower. And again the Controller was working two frequencies at the same time. Looking back; as busy as he was; I am not sure he was completely aware of what he was clearing me for. To help this situation; I feel that the Controller should have taken a minute to clarify in his own mind what I was going to do and if not; question it before we got there. Also; when there is the slightest doubt that the controller is not understanding what he is clearing me for; I will reconfirm the clearance with them; no matter how often and normal a particular request is.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.