SMA PLT PENETRATED TCA.

Narrative

I WAS DEPARTING STP TO FLY DIRECT FARMINGTON VORTAC AND PRACTICE HOLDING PROCS ON THE 270 DEG R. I REQUESTED FROM STP TWR A VFR SQUAWK. UPON 2-WAY COMS WITH MSP APCH; I WAS CLRED TO 3000' DIRECT FARMINGTON. AT THIS POINT I WAS UNDER THE HOOD FLYING INSTRUMENTS WITH A SAFETY PLT WATCHING FOR TFC. MY PROB WAS I HAD MISINTERPRETED THE VOR NEEDLE DEFLECTION. I WAS INTERPRETING REVERSE NEEDLE DEFLECTION. IN THE PROCESS I BELIEVE I PENETRATED THE TCA. I BELIEVE THE PENETRATION OCCURRED SINCE THE CTLR TOLD ME WITH A SHARP SOUNDING VOICE TO TURN S IMMEDIATELY. I WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH THE MISTAKE I HAD POSSIBLY MADE. I CAME UP WITH CAUSE OF THE MISTAKE PROMPTLY. FIRST OF ALL IT WAS NOT WISE TO FLY SO CLOSE TO THE TCA BY INSTRUMENTS ALONE CONSIDERING MY LOW AMOUNT OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE. SECONDLY; MY SAFETY PLT DID NOT HAVE MUCH NIGHT EXPERIENCE OVER THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL AREA. I FEEL THESE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT REASONS LEADING TO MY MISTAKE. I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION AND I WILL; TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES; HANDLE THIS PROFESSIONALLY AND MAKE THE NEEDED CORRECTIONS SO THIS AND ANY SIMILAR ERRORS DO NOT OCCUR IN THE FUTURE IN MY CAREER.