Date: 201502
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: LHW.Airport, GA
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: Turbulence; 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Bonanza 35
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
Airspace: Class D LHW
ATC / advisory: Tower LHW
Aircraft component: VHF
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Private
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Taxiway; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: Taxi
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: After departing LHW I heard a radio call for the 'Mooney that just left the pattern.'   I believed he must be referring to me since I was the only one in the pattern.  I replied I was 'Bonanza XYZ.'  He then came back and ask for contact information.  He stated he needed it for a deviation report.   What happened?   I was ready to leave the airport after having some maintenance done on my airplane.  I tried to contact the tower on what should have been the same frequency I used when I arrived (126.25) earlier.  Getting no response from the tower I taxied from the ramp to the runway for a 24R departure.   Here I attempted to contact the tower three times and received no response.   After receiving no response I departed Runway 24R.  I saw no traffic ground or air.  I thought the tower must have been closed.What I believe happened:  I later discovered my number one radio appears to be intermittent. I found it to be cutting in and out when transmitting.  It is possible I thought I was transmitting and no transmission was going out.  Basically radio communications (or lack there of) contributed to this. To correct this and help prevent this happening again...The radio needs to be serviced and corrected. I would like to add here the information I had on my iPad>ForeFlight>Airports>Frequencies>Tower states the Tower's hours of operation is Monday through Friday.   I knew from flying in the Tower was open earlier but did not know it was still open when leaving on this weekend day.He also mentioned something about my flight (could not understand) on the inbound flight earlier that day.  While inbound I was descending out of about 2;500 or 3;000 feet in some turbulence to a pattern altitude of about 1;050 feet.  While in turbulence my charts iPad were knocked onto the back seat floorboard.   He had cleared me to land 15L.  However my airport diagrams were on the floor and I did not want to proceed to the airport and make a mistake and choose the wrong runway to land on.   So I stated I wanted to leave the area and I headed southeast toward my home airport until I could get my charts secured and reestablish position.  I was able to retrieve the charts (iPad) quickly and then proceed back to the airport.  I reestablished communications with the tower and was again cleared to 15L where I proceeded to and landed without any problems.  I mention this because I do not know what the Tower controller was complaining about. To correct this.... I need to have better control and security of the charts and or navigational aids when approaching a Tower controlled airport.




Synopsis: BE35 pilot reports arriving at LHW on a weekend day to find the Tower open. He is cleared to land Runway 15L; but elects to depart the pattern when his iPad/charts wind up on the floor due to turbulence. The charts are quickly retrieved and the reporter returns for landing; after communicating with the Tower. When ready to depart; several attempts to contact the Tower are made without success before it is assumed that the Tower is now closed as indicated by the AFD. Once airborne the Tower can be heard asking who just departed without clearance.