Learjet 60
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 9400; Flight Crew Type 3000
Confusion; Other / Unknown
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
We were on the DSNEE1 RNAV arrival from EMLLD. We checked the airport weather and determined that SNA was landing on runway 20R. We were cleared to descend via the DSNEE1 arrival. Reading the DSNEE1 arrival plate it says on the last paragraph 'landing SNA runway 20R: after DSNEE proceed on the RNAV (RNP) RWY 20R approach'. So we expected to shoot the RNAV 20R approach. At DSNEE we received the wrong frequency from ATC approach so we crossed DSNEE at 8000 then 20 seconds later received the correct ATC frequency and called and asked 'should we proceed to the RNAV 20R approach course'. We were told to continue descent via the DSNEE1. The radio was under heavy traffic and I asked 'where should we proceed as the arrival plate doesn't give direction'. After landing I called the controlling ATC agency and explained my understanding of the DSNEE1 plate. They said that we should have followed the third paragraph on the DSNEE1 plate that states 'landing SNA: from DSNEE on track 235 to JWARD; then on heading 260 or as assigned by ATC. Expect radar vectors to ILS or RNAV (RNP) RWY 20R final approach course'.Verdict: the DSNEE1 RNAV arrival should state that the last paragraph is only for when ATC clears the plane for the RNAV RWY 20R prior to DSNEE intersection. Otherwise pilots see 'landing SNA runway 20R'. To us that means follow this procedure to runway 20R. So we never went to JWARD and never turned H260. The ATC controller turned us to H235 then back to H320. We then were only 3 miles in trail of a B737 in IMC. We were never told to expect the ILS. The ATIS said landing runway ILS 20R but we read the arrival incorrectly from DSNEE so we were expecting the RNAV approach. So we had to scramble to load the ILS approach into the glass and the correct frequencies. Creating an unsafe rushing situation. The DSNEE1 arrival needs to be changed to read: landing SNA runway 20R: only after being cleared for RNAV RWY 20R do you use this transition. Otherwise proceed to JWARD.
Lear 60 Captain reported misunderstanding the arrival route on the DSNEE1 after passing DSNEE and the type of approach to expect.