Date: 201402
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Aircraft
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: CTAF ZZZ; FSS ZZZ; TRACON ZZZ
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Procedure; Airport; Airspace Structure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I had flown in to this CTAF airport near ZZZ from my home airport that morning for the purpose of servicing my car that I keep at the airport. I was aware that there was a Presidential TFR in effect for the ZZZ area which included my destination airport. I used Flight Following on an assigned transponder code; which I used all the way in to my destination. This was a departure from the norm; as I am usually instructed to squawk 1200 when descending in to this airport. So I was very aware of the TFR. I normally do not file flight plans; electing rather to utilize Flight Following. I hadn't filed a formal flight plan for a couple of years. However; as I prepared for my return flight to my home airport; I telephoned Flight Service to file a VFR flight plan and get a transponder code to allow me to depart the airport inside the TFR area.I filed the plan with the Briefer; but when I asked for a code; she told me I would have to call [the TRACON] to get the code and gave me the number which I subsequently called. On my first call; I was told I would have to call back. I don't recall exactly the sequence of events that I was required to do; but I called back ten minutes later and spoke with a Controller; told him where I was; that I had filed a VFR flight plan; but needed a transponder code to exit the TFR. He asked me to hold for a moment; came back on the line and said that he didn't see the flight plan. I told him I had just filed it and that I hadn't opened it because I was still on the ground. He then told me that since I was flying west out of the TFR; just to call Approach as soon as I was airborne and that I would be fine.I departed and made a left downwind departure. I started calling [Approach] as soon as I was airborne; as instructed; and once I reached about 3;000 FT or so and about 2 miles from the airport; I reached [the TRACON]. I identified my flight; told them where I had departed and needed flight following. I was given a transponder code and continued my flight. A few minutes later; the [TRACON] Controller called me and told me to advise when I was ready to copy a number to call when I got to my destination. I copied the number and confirmed that I was to call when I reached. A minute or two later; [the TRACON] called me again and said never mind; that they had figured out what was going on and that I didn't have to call. I acknowledged and told him that I had called them before I left.I continued my flight with no further drama. I did not file a NASA form at the time; as I thought that everything was OK. About a month later; I received a letter telling me that I was under investigation for busting the TFR. I have flown in and out of that airport under TFR's several times; but not under a Presidential TFR. On those other occasions; I easily received a discrete code by calling [the TRACON]. In the future; I will file an IFR flight plan and get the code that way. I should have done it then; but thought that I was following the correct procedures. I will also get names from each of the people that I talk to in case of later difficulty. It was not ignorant of the TFR; but following errant instructions that got me in to trouble. I will know better to question things that I think may not be right.




Synopsis: A pilot departed a CTAF airport near ZZZ during a Presidential TFR after receiving an IFR clearance; but no transponder code. After takeoff while requesting a code; he was questioned by ATC about his behavior and later received a letter of investigation.