B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 689
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
Crew was approaching the Sky Harbor Airport on the EAGUL 6 Arrival. Just passing DERVL descending though approximately 5300 ft.; Approach Control gave the crew position of the field and inquired whether we had the airfield visually. We told the Approach Controller that we had the field in sight and he cleared us for the visual for Runway 26. Although the clearance did not include a heading to join the final approach course; both crew members agreed that we were; in fact; cleared the visual approach. The Pilot switched the automation to Heading mode and turned to a heading of 230 to join the final approach course to Runway 26.The Controller then asked where we were headed; and we told him that we were on a heading to fly the visual to 26. He then said that we were not cleared the visual and gave a more southerly heading to intercept the final approach course and to maintain 5000 ft. We leveled off at 5000 ft. and complied with the new clearance. The flight concluded uneventfully with a landing on Runway 26 and taxi to the gate.The Controller's phraseology was confusing. Both crew members were in agreement that the clearance was given to fly the visual to Runway 26. Although the phraseology seemed a bit inconsistent with Phoenix Controllers; the flight crew should have confirmed the clearance.
B737 First Officer reported a heading deviation due to confusion and communication breakdown with ATC.