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I just flew into Bravo unintentionally 48 hours ago. My error: I thought I was 1,500 feet above the ceiling, but I was 1,000 feet below it.

Furthermore, I had an incorrect frequency for Approach, and while I eventually found the proper frequency (I'd planned to request flight following) I had crossed over the outer ring.

When I contacted Approach, the Approach Controller explained I was in Bravo, and to turn West and exit. I did say, "Am I not ABOVE Bravo airspace?" He said "No, you're in it" and to fly West and exit.

From that moment, I followed approach control's directions to a T, but could not understand why he directed me West (remaining in Class B for 13 more miles) instead of having me climb 1,500 feet or angle back North or North-West to exit Bravo more quickly.

I was given the dreaded phone number, made the call after landing, had a friendly enough discussion, and he said it would probably lead to a counseling session. My question is what is that?

I'm familiar with the remedial training option the FAA may offer, but what did he mean by "counseling session"? The controller implied it would be handled by phone.

I'm not freaking yet, just concerned. I told everything that happened on that phone call, and then filed an ASRS report.

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    $\begingroup$ While this doesn't answer the last part of your question, have you seen this: I just flew into class Bravo airspace without a clearance! Now what?? $\endgroup$
    – Lnafziger
    Commented Jan 25, 2014 at 4:21
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    $\begingroup$ The controller probably sent you west because it was the most convenient/logical thing to do looking at the scope - there may have been other traffic he was working that needed to be where you would have been in a climb or on a northerly heading, and if I had to guess I'd say "West" was probably a nice empty area of sky to put you in while recovering from the surprise of having you show up on the scope without a radio call :) $\endgroup$
    – voretaq7
    Commented Jan 25, 2014 at 5:48
  • $\begingroup$ I think the "why West?" question is surprising (hopefully "they're" not reading this or it will be another phone call :) ) Of course, there are a million and one reasons ranging from policy, KISS, a thousand other activities going on that you didn't know about, and more -- why the controller would give that particular exit route. $\endgroup$
    – Fattie
    Commented Mar 14, 2015 at 5:30

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A "Counseling Session" is the lightest slap on the wrist the FAA can give you (aside from doing nothing).

Basically it means "you screwed up, you know you screwed up, and we (the FAA) know you know you screwed up" -- they just want to sit you down with someone from the FSDO (probably a FAA Safety Team representative) and have a conversation to make sure everyone is clear on what happened, how the violation happened and that you know how you can avoid this sort of thing happening in the future.

My understanding is that counseling sessions are "informal" (they're not an official "administrative action", so I'm pretty sure they don't go on your airman record) - the FSDO will note that they talked to you and bury that tidbit in their internal file, to be generally forgotten unless you decide to make a habit of busting airspace.

(The closest "official documentation" I can find on counseling sessions is in the FAA Safety Team's Representative Manual -- Page 12 if you're interested.)

Some things to bear in mind:

  • You're the kind of pilot the FAA isn't out to beat up on.
    Yes, you screwed up - but you know that and you clearly want to make sure you don't do it again, which is really all they want too.
  • Make sure you're clear in your mind what happened & how to avoid similar incidents in the future.
    Did you misread the chart? The altimeter? Get distracted looking up the frequency? Something else?
  • Don't admit to any other violations during the counseling session.
    (Presumably you didn't commit any, you got a proper flight briefing, etc.)
  • Hang on to your ASRS strip.
    You won't need it for a counseling session, though mentioning you've filed an ASRS report won't hurt anything. If the FAA opts for a more formal action that strip is going to be important.
  • If you have AOPA pilot protection services now would be a good time to chat with them too, just to cover all your bases.
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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks, Vortaq7. Much appreciated. So ... the approach controller and others I've spoken with say a counseling session is a phone call. I realize your comment "sit you down with" could be a figure of speech. Are they also done in person? $\endgroup$
    – WildFlyer
    Commented Jan 26, 2014 at 5:31
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    $\begingroup$ And now it is done. I had my counseling session with a very reasonable and professional safety inspector yesterday. It was indeed handled by phone, and he assessed that I had done my homework since the time of the incident to prevent a similar situation from ocurring. $\endgroup$
    – WildFlyer
    Commented Feb 9, 2014 at 0:50

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