Date: 202101
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZAU.ARTCC, IL
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Small Transport
Operator: Corporate
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZAU
ATC / advisory: Center ZAU
Reporter organization: Corporate
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Other CFII; MEI
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I was in contact with Chicago Center on our flight from ZZZ to ZZZ1 on a direct flight plan at FL290. We were talking with Chicago Center when he transferred us to another Chicago Center frequency. I tried 3 times to contact the Controller as he was quite busy. The third time he said 'unless it is pertinent to the safety of flight; maintain radio silence.' I complied with his instructions. During this time I was working on other items pertaining to the flight. Some time had passed and I realized I have not talked to a controller in some time and the radio calls I was hearing were getting fainter. I called the Controller and asked if I needed to be transferred and was told that he did not have me on his list and was unsure of what frequency I needed to contact. I tried to go back to the previous frequency I was on but was not getting what I needed there. I then looked at my route and found that the closest larger airport was ZZZ2 and called their Controller asking for a correct frequency for Center and he asked for my position; squawk code; and tail number again. I gave him the information he requested and afterwards he recommended a new frequency to me. I contacted the Controller on the recommended frequency I was given and he was also unsure of who I was. He requested our altitude; tail number; and squawk code. I complied and he advised I contact the next control frequency he had. This next Controller was Cleveland Center. He seemed to have somewhat of a better idea of who we were but recommended the next Controller on Cleveland Center as well on a new frequency. As soon as I contacted this new Controller he knew who I was and kept me on the same altitude and course I had been on. Again; we were direct from ZZZ to ZZZ1 at FL290 and had not modified our course and ATC had not advised us of any course or altitude changes. Before we were switched to Potomac Center nearing our destination I was asked to take down a number and call it on the ground for a 'possible pilot deviation.' I complied and we were able to continue and land without any further incident. On the ground I called the number I was given and talked to ATC about the situation. They took my information and we talked about what happened. They advised me that in the future it is always a good idea to go back to your previous frequency if needed. I agreed with their advice and they said that I may be contacted in the near future about this incident. I said that is no problem and am more than willing to talk to whomever about it.To correct situations like this in the future I believe there are a couple things that can happen. For myself as a pilot that if I am ever unsure of who I need to be talking to that I can check in more often and make sure that we are all on the same page. The suggestion I would offer for the controller side would be that if anyone is in a NORDO aircraft situation that all the controllers in the area know of that tail number and are able to direct the aircraft to the correct frequency quickly rather than searching around.




Synopsis: Small transport pilot reported a breakdown in communication with ATC.