Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 875; Flight Crew Type 725
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Airspace Structure; Procedure
In preparation for a brief flight from VNY; I requested an IFR Tower Enroute clearance. Conditions at VNY were VFR; but SMO was IFR with a 1000 foot ceiling and limited visibility due to fog and haze. Thus the need for the IFR clearance.According to my notes; I was given the following clearance by VNY clearance delivery:'Cleared to the Santa Monica airport via the ADAMM ONE departure; VNY 095 radial; DARTS; Direct. Climb and maintain 4000; expect 5000 in ten minutes. Comply with the Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP); except for the altitude restrictions.'After repeating the clearance; I referenced my charts. The relevant portion of the ODP states the following: 'climbing left turn on heading 050 and VNY-095 to DARTS.'  However; the ADAMM ONE procedure states: 'climbing left turn heading 110; then expect radar vectors to VNY-095.'Because the ground controller emphasized that I should follow the ODP; I made the assumption that ATC expected me to follow the directional guidance provided by the ODP; and thus after departure began my left turn; passed through a heading of 110; intending to stop my left turn at 050. Unfortunately; this was apparently not what was expected of me; and as a result; I began to head for the BUR final approach course; which was in use by an air carrier. The Burbank sector controller immediately directed me to turn right to a heading of 180 to avoid a separation error; and I immediately complied.In retrospect; while on the ground at VNY; I should have clarified any confusion I might have had with the conflict between the SID and ODP with the clearance controller. I was about to enter very busy airspace on a day in which flight conditions had repeatedly changed between VFR and IFR. I was stressed; and I could tell that the controllers involved in this incident were stressed as well due to the workload; traffic; and conditions. In this case I should have swallowed my pride and; rather than trying to appear 'professional'; admitted my confusion and asked for clarification on the ground.
Pilot reports of confusion after receiving his clearance from VNY ATCT. He is given a SID and also told to comply with the Obstacle Departure Procedure. Pilot departs and controller directs his flight to another direction away from the Burbank final.