Citation Excel (C560XL)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
After briefing the Pittsburgh One Departure for Runway 28L we taxied to Runway 28L for departure. We agreed that we were to fly runway heading after departure. The notes section of the departure procedure states 'make no turns until assigned by ATC or vectored to the appropriate depicted fix'. As we discussed this note we assumed we would be told when to turn to a heading by ATC. The procedures state to fly runway heading until 1700 feet. We lined up and were given a northerly heading to fly after departure. We accepted the takeoff clearance. We assumed as experience of flying from PIT that ATC would give us the instructions of ' turn to heading ### contact departure'. We departed as we climbed on runway heading; the tower said contact departure. Confused we contacted departure and were immediately asked if we were given a heading on takeoff. We stated yes but the SID states not to make any turns until advised by ATC. He gave us a heading and further climb. He again asked if we were given a heading by tower. We said yes. But were confused by the wording in the SID. He gave us further climb instructions and handed us over to Cleveland center. In looking back on the events over the days; it appears that the Assignment of the turn from tower may constitute the vector we were anticipating to be given once airborne.
After we briefed the PIT1 departure off runway 28R we taxied out to depart off 28R. Per our briefing; from the PIT1 departure; we agreed the after takeoff we would fly runway heading until assigned a vector from ATC. The notes read 'make no turns until assigned by ATC or vectored to the appropriate depicted fix'. Our interpretation of this note was that ATC would assign us a vector upon departure. Tower assigned an initial northly heading however the SID states no turns until assigned; so we anticipated ATC to tell us to turn to heading ###. Tower instructed us to contact departure; when we did departure asked us if we were given a heading; we said yes but were clearly confused by the wording on the departure procedure. The departure controller said it wasn't the first time and issued us a new clearance and we continued on with our flight. I feel that the wording on the departure procedure is convoluted and needs to be rewritten more clearly.
CE560 flight crew reported misunderstanding the PIT1 departure instructions which states 'make no turns until assigned by ATC or vectored to the appropriate depicted fix'. The Tower cleared them for takeoff and assigned a heading but the crew continued with the SID heading until queried by Departure.