Date: 201606
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: GYY.Airport, IN
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 20
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class E C90
ATC / advisory: TRACON C90
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Flying to GYY; about 30 miles south of GYY; I cancelled IFR; received confirmation of same; and advised ATC of a change of destination to PWK. I asked for flight following below the Chicago Class B airspace along the shore of Lake Michigan; asked ATC whether to continue the previous squawk and they said yes so I did. A few minutes later; ATC attempted to 'clear' me through the GYY Class D airspace at or below 2;500 feet. I replied that we would remain clear of their Class D; and refused the unrequested 'clearance' as I didn't require one while operating VFR. After that; I got a stern response advising me that I was required to follow ATC instructions and was asked if I was still going to refuse to follow their order. I replied that I was VFR; but rather than argue about it I would comply and would discuss it later. A few miles later; ATC said if I wasn't going to follow their instructions I could 'squawk 1200; frequency change approved' without flight following so that's what I did. The ensuing trip to PWK was uneventful; all VFR outside of controlled airspace (excepting the 30NM transponder-squawking required ring). From the time I cancelled IFR to the time I entered the PWK Class D airspace; no portion of the flight was other than VFR outside of controlled airspace. There was no ceiling and visibility was greater than 20 miles.It's not clear to me; and apparently this controller; just what pilot responsibilities are required when receiving flight following. As I understand it; while flying outside of controlled airspace; I can pick my own route so long as I remain in VFR conditions. If flight following requires a specific path or a clearance through Class D (or C or B); I've never experienced that in 40 years of flying.  All I wanted to receive was potential conflict information.  I think this controller overstepped his authority and attempted to bully me into following his instructions with a clearance that I didn't want or need.  Some clarity on this issue would be beneficial. Since when is a clearance required when operating VFR outside of Class D airspace?




Synopsis: General aviation pilot reported canceling IFR and requesting flight following to PWK below the ORD Class B. ATC attempted to 'clear' the reporter through the GYY Class D which he declined. This upset the Controller and resulted in cancelation of flight following.