Date: 202105
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: Y90.TRACON, CT
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 30
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Operator: FBO
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Descent
Airspace: Class C BDL
ATC / advisory: TRACON Y90
Reporter organization: FBO
Reporter function: Instructor; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Airspace Structure; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: ZZZ is [near] the BDL 5 nm Class C surface area. During a training flight while returning to ZZZ from BAF; we were using flight following from Y90 TRACON and squawking a discrete code. We were in the Class E airspace beneath the 2;100 MSL shelf of the Class C. As we approached our destination; ATC told us 'Radar services terminated; squawk 1200; frequency change approved.' At this time; we were approximately 1 mile from the Class C surface area. Given our trajectory; it was obvious to the Controller that we were headed direct to our destination and would enter the Class C airspace. Since we were in communication with Y90 and had not been advised to change course or remain clear of the Class C airspace; we assumed that we were cleared into the Class C surface area. We continued into Class C surface area and landed. TRACON usually either advises us to remain clear of the Class C surface area or switches us to the tower frequency.We did not conflict with other traffic in the area as traffic departing BDL was turning away from us and climbing well above our altitude. We were later advised that there could have been an incursion into the Class C airspace.This could have been avoided if we had questioned the Controller to confirm that [we] were cleared into the Class C surface area. We also could have not assumed that we were cleared into the Class C Surface area and altered course to remain clear. The Controller could have told us to remain clear of the Class C airspace or switched us to tower frequency rather than terminating radar services.


Second narrative: During a training flight to ZZZ from BAF we were using flight following from BDL TRACON and squawking a discrete code. We were in the Class E airspace beneath the 2100 MSL shelf of the Class C.As we approached our destination; which is located [near] the BDL Class C surface area; ATC told us 'Radar services terminated; squawk VFR; frequency change approved.' At this time; we were just outside the Class C surface area. Given our direct trajectory to ZZZ; and the fact that we had communicated this was our intention to both BDL TRACON (and prior to that; the BAF Tower); we thought it was obvious to the Controller that we were headed directly to our destination and would imminently enter the Class C surface area airspace.This was because we were in communication with BDL TRACON and had not been advised to change course or remain clear of the Class C airspace. This was (in hindsight) a possibly incorrect assumption on our behalf that we were cleared into the Class C surface area.As such; we continued into the Class C surface area and landed. In the past; TRACON BDL has usually either advised us to remain clear of the Class C surface area or has switched us to the BDL tower frequency if they did not want us to pursue a direct route from BAF to ZZZ. We were later advised by BDL Tower (not BDL TRACON) that there could have been an incursion into the Class C airspace.My learning: this could have been avoided if we had questioned the BDL TRACON Controller to confirm that we were indeed cleared into the Class C surface area. We should also have not assumed that we were cleared into the Class C Surface area and we should have altered our direct course to remain clear. I do realize that the BDL TRACON Controller could have told us to remain clear of the Class C airspace or switched us to BDL Tower frequency rather than terminating radar services; but I have to focus on what I can directly control in the future in order to remain a safe pilot.


Synopsis: Pilot reported confusion about whether or not they had clearance into a Class Charlie airspace while under flight following; and a quick termination within 1 mile of the Class Charlie airspace.