Date: 202102
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Tower, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 20
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Bell Helicopter 407
Operator: Air Taxi
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Ferry / Re-Positioning
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class C ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ1; Tower ZZZ
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Automation Air Traffic Control; Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Chart Or Publication
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I departed from an airport which lies in a cutout from the adjacent airport Class C airspace. My desired on-course heading was 021. I knew that the adjacent airport Tower handled the nearby airspace; and I was comfortable contacting them and requesting clearance through Class C toward my destination.Immediately after lifting I established contact with Tower. Tower responded; and I requested clearance through Class C climbing to 3;500 feet. The Tower controller responded with the phraseology 'Cleared to operate in Class Charlie;' approved my course heading and told me that he only controlled to 2;500 feet. I took that as an altitude limitation; and continued north north eastward. About the time I was getting ready to level off at 2;500 feet; the Tower Controller cleared me to 3;500 feet; and handed me off to Approach.Upon establishing contact with Approach; that controller asked me if I was familiar with Class Charlie airspace and scolded me; telling me words to the effect of 'You can't just fly around here not talking to anyone.' I informed her that I had been in contact with Tower and he had handed me off to her however; I sensed that explanation didn't satisfy her. She then gave me a phone number that I could call later if I needed to talk with someone about it.At my next fuel stop; I contacted TRACON at the phone number that was given to me; and I was told that I had violated Class Charlie airspace. I explained to the gentleman on the phone that Tower had cleared me using the proper phraseology; 'Cleared to operate in Class Charlie.' The gentleman from TRACON went on to say that the Tower Controller shouldn't have done that. At this point; I didn't know what to do; and I certainly couldn't undo what I had done; so I thanked him for his time and told him I'd be filing a Report when I reached my destination.This airspace is remarkably busy with training aircraft. That is why I contacted Tower immediately with my request. If the Tower Controller didn't have the authority to grant me clearance then it's my opinion that he should have told me to remain clear of Class Charlie airspace; but he didn't do that. Instead; he specifically used the clearance phraseology that is taught in flight school and my company's recurrent training. Given those circumstances I proceeded in good faith with the clearance given to me by the tower controller. I believe that air traffic controller communications are recorded and stored. If so; I believe someone with the proper authority can verify this narrative and correct whatever caused this potentially dangerous situation.




Synopsis: A Helicopter pilot reported they received clearance into Class C airspace from the Tower Controller and after handoff to TRACON the TRACON Controller accused them of entering the Class C airspace without authorization.