Small Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Chart Or Publication; Manuals; Procedure
I was working Cab Coordinator (CC); training in progress at Local Control (LC)1 combined with Ground Control (GC)1; and Local Radar. Clearance Delivery (CD); issued Aircraft X; the Beach3 Departure; HARPO transition; V2; UPP (Upolu) VOR then Vecki7 Arrival to Kona Airport. Pilot was issued climb via SID; except maintain 9;000 phraseology; for the crossing restriction over HARPO Intersection for the HARPO transition. Then Aircraft X; was issued a departure heading from CD; per LOA between Maui Tower; OGG; for IFR aircraft on the Beach3 SID. Departing aircraft get assigned heading 020 after departure. According to the Beach3 Departure; HARPO transition; departing Runway 2; after climbing out of 1;400 FT; they make a climbing right turn to intercept; the OGG (Maui) VOR R-190 southbound climbing to assigned altitude. CD issued clearance; and departure heading per LOA; and got a good read back on departure heading and clearance for the SID; Beach3 Departure; HARPO transition; then as filed; climb via SID; except maintain 9;000 FT; after departure fly heading 020; Departure frequency 119.5; and squawk XXXX. CD got a good read back from Aircraft X. When; Aircraft X departed Runway 2; I gave HCF South (R9); Maui Departure South; a rolling call-off; that Aircraft X; was departing. After we shipped Aircraft X; 1/2 mile off the departure end of Runway 2; Aircraft X; acknowledged the frequency change; and after leaving 1;400 FT complied with the SID; and turned leaving 1;400 FT; HCF South; then called me back at OGG's shout line; asking what heading did we assign Aircraft X on the SID; per LOA; I answered; per LOA Heading 020. Moments later; we got a call from the Honolulu Control Facility Watch desk; from the Supervisor; asking if we correctly assigned Aircraft X a Heading 020 after departure. We checked the DALR system to check the tapes and confirmed that we had issued the clearance correctly with climb via phraseology and as well as correct departure heading per LOA between OGG and HCF. We then called the HCF Watch Desk back to confirm that we issued clearance correctly and got a good read back. I believe; Aircraft X; was complying with the SID; departing Runway 2; especially with this new climb via SID phraseology. I also believe; it must be confusing to the pilots of the carriers and air-taxis; that they are issued a SID; and climb via SID phraseology; and restrictions. We then give a departure heading for HCF-OGG LOA; and it must make the pilots ask themselves; if they are flying the SID; climbing via the SID and of course; now after the departure heading; are they now officially off the SID again? Until otherwise told by HCF? This is even confusing from CD perspective as well as locals perspective; are they expecting the aircraft to start a south turn to join the OGG 190 radial leaving 1;400 after departing Runway 2; or are they expecting HCF to give the aircraft radar vectors leaving 2;200; being OGG's MVA is 2;200; over the ocean; off the departure end of Runway 2? I can see this to be making the procedures; SIDs; LOAs; confusing on all three groups involved; OGG Tower; HCF Approach; and as well as the PIC of the IFR Aircraft X; due to complying with the climb via SID phraseology as well as the contradicting departure heading per LOA. I recommend that HCF either deletes the departure heading 020 for this SID; and other similar SIDS and/or give aircraft radar vectors to first assigned fix; if they don't want to take aircraft off the assigned heading; that way the pilots know what to expect; not blame the pilot for not following the heading; when they also have to comply with the climb via for filing for the SID in the first place. I don't feel that it is the pilot's fault for flying the SID and complying with the SID restrictions. If HCF does not want the pilot to fly the SID; than they should have alternate procedures in place and/or radar vectors to first fix; and/or have pilots file Stacey2 departure and OGG Towercan give a heading before takeoff clearance.
Cab Coordinator reports confusion about climb via; assigned heading and or SID issued to pilots and having pilots not knowing what to fly;also having confusion for receiving controller not knowing what to expect the aircraft to be on.