Cessna Citation Sovereign (C680)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Procedure
ATC cleared us to SAN via LAX N11 MZB direct; maintain 5;000 FT comply with departure altitude restrictions. Tower Enroute listed routing as LAX departure MZB. We called back Clearance Delivery for clarification. Then it was explained that the clearance was LAXX6 MZB direct. He explained that 'N11' was local terminology and not published. The procedure required climbing at or below 3;000 FT [until crossing] SMO R-160; then heading 220 then up to 5;000 FT. After turning to 220 and reaching 5;000 FT I mistakenly instructed the pilot flying to go directly to SLI as I was still confused by the local terminology i.e. 'N11'. We responded to instructions to turn and were queried by ATC about our uninstructed turned towards SLI. I misunderstood ATC's question regarding our initial instructions and told [the] Controller that we were not instructed to maintain a heading. I thought he was referring to the Tower; I believe now he was referring to our initial Clearance. Suggestions; ask Clearance Delivery for more simplified instructions. A Clearance of LAXX6 MZB would have been uncomplicated.
We were given a clearance on the ground as follows: Cleared LAX N11 MZB DIRECT. MAINTAIN 5;000 FT comply with departure altitude restrictions. I have little familiarity with Tower Enroute operations; and I went over the clearance with my fellow pilot. We both found the Tower Enroute section on the iPad. The description for the LAX N11 is: Lax Departure. MZB. Route Altitude 11;000 FT. We were both confused about what LAX Departure meant. We spent 10 minutes trying to find the information; and then called back to Clearance Delivery for an explanation. We were told that it was the LAXX6 DEP MZB DIRECT; CLIMB AMD MAINTAIN 5;000 FT expect 11;000 FT in 10 Minutes. Departing on the LAXX 6; we climbed on the 250 heading and crossing the SMO R-160 at or below 3;000 FT; we turned via the description to a 220 heading and climbed to 5;000 FT; upon reaching 5;000 FT I was instructed by my fellow pilot to turn left direct to SLI (Seal Beach VOR). I began my turn left; in about 10 seconds we were told by ATC to turn right to 220 degrees. We complied and then ATC asked why we had not flown the Tower assigned altitude. We told him that we were not issued a heading by Tower on departure and were flying the LAXX 6 DEP procedure. He replied 'Roger' and gave us a frequency change and we continued the flight as normal. After reviewing the procedure did we both notice that we were supposed to fly the 220 heading until vectors were given to our assigned fix. Suggestions; the Tower Enroute clearance that we received did not say LAXX 6; it just said LAX Departure. After clarifying it with ATC and given the LAXX6; RADAR Vectors MZB; [which] should have been simple to comply with; it is a very simple procedure. Having had the earlier questions about the LAX N11; it's confusing description was still in our head. Had we flown the LAXX 6 Departure as normal; no error would have been made. We were both diligent on getting the information from both text and ATC prior to departure; but then an error was made on our part when I was told to turn direct SLI. I did not question the non-flying pilot on this; and most importantly I did not look down at the FMS to see that it was programmed correctly and that we were on the proper heading. A simple look down would have told me to stay on the 220 heading; instead I turned direct SLI; looking out of the cockpit for traffic. A simple double check of the turn by either of us would have stopped this error from occurring.
Fractional flight departing LAX was questioned by ATC regarding route assigned; the reporter expressing confusion reference the issued clearance and locally used 'Tower Enroute' clearances used in this area.