Light Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure; Procedure
We were enroute to MRY via direct SNS VOR; roughly on the 320 radial. They were landing 28L and the controller asked us which approach we wanted. We requested the RNAV 28L; expecting to get vectors to HIXAR. We were 'cleared direct SNS; direct HIXAR; for the straight in approach' After reviewing the plate; it appeared to me that we would need to do a procedure turn after HIXAR; and not a straight in as cleared. I queried the controller if he wanted us to do the straight in or the full approach. He replied that we should track the 146 radial to HIXAR; and then straight in for 28. About 1 minute later; he again repeated we were cleared for the approach; straight in 28L. After crossing HIXAR; we turned right; for the straight in approach to 28L; as cleared by the controller. Due to the intercept angle; we slightly overshot the course after crossing HIXAR. We were in VMC conditions; quickly got back on course and did not descend until we were back on course. The approach was stable and we landed uneventfully. After landing; the captain and I reviewed the plate again and we were still unsure if a straight in approach was correct; despite being told to make a straight in 3 times by the controller. The #1 ball note states that the procedure is not authorized if approaching from the east through south east; which makes sense for a straight in approach. The transition from WIGGL states NoPT; which makes sense. The transition from SNS does not say NoPT and shows a procedure turn; so I now believe we needed to do a left; teardrop course reversal after crossing HIXAR instead of turning right for the straight in.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Light Transport jet flight crew reported being cleared for the RNAV Y Runway 28L at MRY; with no procedure turn at HIXAR. The crew questioned the clearance and ATC restated straight in from HIXAR. The crew complied but still believed the clearance was not correct.