SMA PLT FLEW AT THE WRONG ALT FOR DIRECTION OF FLT IN SCT SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE.

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I USED THE WRONG VFR ALT FOR THE DIRECTION OF FLT THROUGH THE LA SPECIAL FLT RULES AREA. I REVIEWED THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF THIS AIRSPACE ON A CURRENT CHART PRIOR TO THE FLT. I THEN DEPARTED FROM CMA TO SNA. THE COCKPIT OF THE AIRPLANE IS VERY SMALL AND FULLY OPENING CHARTS IN THE LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE IS NOT POSSIBLE WHILE FLYING. THE PROPER EBOUND ALT IS 3500 FT (ODD +500 FT) BUT; INSTEAD; I USED 4500 FT. I DID NOT EVEN KNOW I HAD SELECTED THE WRONG ALT UNTIL I WAS BACK ON THE GND. ATC (SOCAL APCH) ASKED ME WHAT ALT I HAD USED; SO I TOLD THEM 4500 FT. ATC THEN ASKED WHY AND AT THAT POINT I REALIZED MY ERROR. QUITE FRANKLY I AM A LITTLE BEFUDDLED AS TO WHY I WOULD MISTAKENLY SELECT AND FLY THE WRONG ALT. I HAVE BEEN FLYING MANY YRS AND THESE ALTS ARE SECOND NATURE -- ODD +500 FT FOR EBOUND FLT AND EVEN +500 FT FOR WBOUND FLT. I REALLY THINK MY MISTAKE WAS RELATED TO A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT LED TO HUMAN ERROR. IT WAS VERY WINDY AT CMA PRIOR TO TKOF WHEN I REVIEWED THE CHART. I WAS ALSO MONITORING FUEL STATUS ON A WING TANK PRIOR TO CHANGING OVER TO ANOTHER TANK WHEN I USED THE SPECIAL FLT RULES AREA. IT WAS PRETTY BUMPY WITH HIGH WINDS. FINALLY; I WAS BEING VIGILANT MONITORING FOR TFC.