You
must obtain a crossing / joining clearance to cross / join controlled airspace -
PERIOD!!
Advising a controller of your intended route thru controlled airspace and assuming an acknowledgement is a clearance just isn't good enough I'm afraid.
This sort of thing happens a lot:
XXX this is G-XXXX, PA28 routing EGXX to EGXX VFR looking to cross your zone routing XXX DCT XXX at 2000'.
G-XX XXX Radar, roger FIS QNH xxxx squawk xxxx.
ATCO then turns his attention to something else and when complete notices G-XXXX trundling thru the zone minus a clearance.
G-xx XXX Radar, you have entered controlled airspace without a clearance.
XXX Radar G-XX, sorry I thought you'd cleared us in.
Negative G-XX an acknowledgement of a request to transit controlled airspace does not constitute a clearance.
G-XX roger XXX, sorry about that.
Okay G-XX continue VFR through the zone not above 2000' (in a voice which suggests the pilot had better learn from this because next time......
!)
Bit of a generalisation but it does happen.
Without the words "Cleared to enter" or "Cleared to transit / cross" you can't come in! Any ATCO who just says "approved" or "roger" and lets you through is just plain sloppy and/or crap in my book.
ATCOs can do their bit too, such as "Expect to transit as requested but ROCAS for the moment, I will call you back" etc
The key here is if in doubt, ASK!!
As for the highly excitable SATCO jumping on the frequency, if the SATCO here tried that with me in the chair he would be politely told to f
k off
