Leaving a controlled airport in Class C airspace

[breadwild]

PE pilots,

Last night I departed Van Nuys (KVNY) 16L for the west and was given approval for right turn. I got a wrist slap from the tower for "violating Class C airspace" after reporting altitude of 3500. I was under the impression that as long as I was in contact with the tower I would be cleared. Guess not.

Thoughts about my options:
1. stay under 3000
2. ask Ground for flight following before taxiing
3. after right run and while under 3000 request frequency change from tower to SOCAL Approach and request flight following

Thanks all.

Brad

[Keith Smith]

VNY is not the controlling agency for the BUR Class C airspace, that's the problem. Think of it this way, if you climb through the BUR Class C outer shelf...who is going to separate you from an inbound IFR jet into BUR? It's not going to be VNY tower.

All three of your options that you listed are valid.

[Daddy O]

That is the one downside to flying in Socal: You just about have to fly IFR everywhere to keep from bungling into the wrong airspace. Seems like it is actually harder tp fly vfr in socal.

[Keith Smith]

It's true that it's easier to fly IFR. However, if you don't have an instrument rating, that's not a real option in real life, so students simply have to do more detailed flight planning before launching on their flight.

[breadwild]

Think of it this way, if you climb through the BUR Class C outer shelf...who is going to separate you from an inbound IFR jet into BUR? It's not going to be VNY tower.

Now that's putting a point on it!

Thanks!