Medium Large Transport
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 2000
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Human Factors
We departed RWY 28 from BWI on the SWANN3 departure. The departure has you hold runway heading to 3 DME then turn left to 150. At 2.4 DME we were given direct to SWANN from POTOMAC Departure. We programmed the FMS with direct SWANN and the FMS commanded a right turn. Since we were not given a direction to turn; we turned to the shortest route. While in the turn; we were asked by a second controller to verify why we had turned right and we explained we had not reached the 3 DME fix and therefore turned the shortest route as displayed by the FMS.Upon arrival we called POTOMAC approach to verify the ambiguity and they said the tower should have issued us a turn. I believe there is some misunderstanding regarding the SID and tower instructions. Had we reached the 3 DME fix we would have initiated the turn to the left. In the future I suggest approach confirm the direction of turn for aircraft not turning and; I will be more skeptical of clearances that don't fit the SID narrative.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Corporate jet flight crew departing on the SWANN3 departure from BWI reported being issued a direct to SWANN from Potomac departure before the 3 DME fix where the SID calls for a left turn to 150. The crew reported programming the FMS for direct SWANN and the FMS commanded a right turn; which they followed.