Date: 201507
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZAB.ARTCC, NM
Aircraft: Airbus Industrie Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Test Flight / Demonstration
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class A ZAB
ATC / advisory: Center ZAB
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Flight was a test flight after maintenance on the rudder and elevator components. Profile was to fly min of an hour and climb between 290-310Kts where multiple events had occurred. On the climb out at 300Kts ABQ Center did query about this being a test flight. We were cleared [Route X for our] first clearance; we were on heading vectors and the controller asked to reroute us [Route Y]. I was concerned with the reroute and fuel because it was a much longer route. We asked for [Route Z] and the arrival. Controller asked if we could turn within 9 miles. We stated yes thinking she needed the turn to start before 9 miles. We were cleared Gila Bend which was 180 degrees behind us. Direct TUS. As we started the left turn I left it in heading for a steeper bank angle versus NAV. Half way through the turn controller asked us to increase the bank. I kicked off the autopilot and rolled to 35 degrees of bank. We were heading direct to Gila Bend VOR. AQB center told us to call a phone number when we land. We asked why? Response was we were told to turn within 9 miles and we turned in 14? We started the turn on a vector? We called the center and spoke with the manager. He stated we went into restricted area but the military 'called a cease fire' so it was ok. Clear direction from ATC with turn reference with DME from an actual nav aid. Not pilotage 9 miles?


Second narrative: During climb out on a Maintenance test flight; ATC gave us a reroute. We determined that the length of the reroute would leave us with too little fuel at landing; so we requested a more direct routing. The controller said they could offer vectors only; due to restricted airspace being active. We elected to take vectors for more direct routing; and then the controller asked if we could make a turn towards GBN VOR and stay withing 9nm of our present position. We said we 'thought' we could and were cleared for a 180 degree turn direct to GBN VOR. during the turn the controller asked us to tighten the turn; so we took the autopilot out of NAV mode; and put it in HDG mode to increase the bank angle. A few moments later the controller gave us a new heading and told us to tighten the turn as much as we could. At that point the autopilot was disconnected and we banked the aircraft up to about 30-35 degrees. We were then cleared direct to GBN VOR again; and told to contact ABQ center upon landing. When we inquired as to 'why'; we were told that we had entered restricted airspace.Initially we thought 9 nm would be enough for a 180 degree turn. Had we known that we were about to penetrate restricted airspace; automation could have been turned off sooner to enable a tighter turn.


Synopsis: Airbus flight crew reported entering restricted military airspace after ATC asks if they can make a turn within 9 NM. Crew thinks that means start turn within 9 NM.