Citation V/Ultra/Encore (C560)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 102; Flight Crew Total 27075; Flight Crew Type 345
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors
Possible Pilot Deviation is what the controller called it when he gave me a number to call while in cruise. That's a phrase no pilot wants to hear; but I was mulling over our departure from APA when we got the call.For our departure the weather was great; and we had a light aircraft. Our clearance said to 'climb via the SID'. Or so I thought. While putting our [passengers] onboard for our Part 91 flight; my first officer was in the cockpit setting up the radios and getting our ATC clearance.While starting engines; my first officer briefed me on the clearance. It was easy; cleared as filed; using the BAYLR3 departure SID; and we were cleared to 'climb via the SID'. A review of the SID showed that we were to climb on a 170 heading until 6400 feet MSL; then continue climb heading 170 or as assigned by ATC. Then; expect radar vectors to BAYLR; then on depicted route to BOBBA. Maintain FL230 or filed lower altitude. We had filed for FL400. Easy. No stops to FL230; right? Apparently not!My first officer later said that he has heard 'Climb via the SID except maintain 8000 feet'. When I got the brief; I was told to 'Climb via the SID'. An obvious breakdown in crew communication. As we were climb towards 8000 feet; I noticed the altitude alerter turn yellow and I said 'Why is 8000 feet in there?' By then it was too late to level off at 8000 feet.I got on the radio and told Departure Control that we were unable to stop at 8000 feet; and could we hold 9000 feet? I was informed that there was Pilatus traffic at 9000 feet and at that point I knew that I had made a significant Altitude Deviation.So; what can be learned? In future I will make it a habit to ask one more time (before taking the runway) 'What altitude are we stopping at?' I already know both pilots should be in on the hearing of the ATC clearance. That's a hard one to follow in Part 91 where the pilots are also dealing with the passengers' needs. But; I'll try harder.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
C560 flight crew reported climbing through their cleared altitude departing APA airport.