Learjet 45
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
A LJ-45 departed IAD on an IFR flight plan. The aircraft had filed IAD PALEO V44 DONIL to exit PCT airspace. The preferred departure route indicated that the LJ-45 should have been cleared IAD WOOLY AGARD V44 DONIL to exit PCT airspace. After the aircraft passed the WOOLY intersection; the LJ-45 joined V44; which was incorrect. It was unclear whether the pilot flew the wrong route or the aircraft was cleared incorrectly as the aircraft had already been switched to ZDC by the time I realized the plane was flying the incorrect route. This marks several occurrences in the past few weeks of aircraft departing IAD and flying the incorrect route; indicating that pilots may be getting cleared 'as filed' instead of being read the entire PDR. IAD Tower is not responsible for ensuring that the routes they clear aircraft on are correct. They are only required to issue pilots the preferred departure routes; or plus routing. As a result; PCT is constantly getting aircraft that need to be rerouted while airborne; which adds a great deal of complexity to a session. IAD should have to ensure that routes are correct on all aircraft before they are allowed to depart.
PCT Controller voiced concern that IAD Tower is remiss in insuring that departure clearances issued are in fact the correct routing.