Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Human Factors; Procedure
After takeoff on the WYLSN5 out of HOU; we were switched to Houston departure. Checked in leaving 3800 feet for 16;000 feet. ATC queried us on the altitude cleared to; we said 16;000 feet. ATC returned and said we were only cleared to 5000 feet. After being told we were cleared to 5000 ft; I set 5000 ft in the alerter leaving approximately 4100 for 5000 feet. We leveled off at 5000 ft. ATC stated that direct to 16;000 feet clearances are never given; usually stop at five. He asked if 5000 was in our Clearance; we stated we received it PDC and only saw the 16;000 ft clearance limit of the departure. He said they have been having problems with PDC clearances out of Hobby with this same exact instance with pilots not seeing the 5000 ft limit. He said he would make note of this and review the PDC. We continued the flight and approximately 15 minutes later was asked to call an 800 number when we landed for a possible navigation deviation. We called after landing and explained the situation we were told that no deviation occurred; but the PDC was apparently incorrectly copied.We were rushed and sidetracked as a crew in HOU with a passenger trip; and both apparently did not see the except maintain 5000 ft in the notes at the end of the PDC after both confirming 16000 ft. We only saw the 16000 ft altitude given as the top of the departure. As a crew we need to slow down and make sure every word has been read on the PDC and copied and entered correctly. It would also be beneficial if ATC reformatted the PDC clearances and standardized them including any changes to a departure altitude towards the top of the clearance where the departure is given so it can be understood easily.
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Business jet flight crew reported difficulty catching altitude restriction departing HOU on the PDC print out.