Travelair 95
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 6500
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
We filed an IFR flight plan from APC to O88. The clearance that we received was as follows; we were cleared to O88 airport. After departure direct SGD direct; maintain 5;000; Departure frequency 127.8; Squawk XXXX. After taking off from Napa Airport; we contacted departure. Upon arrival of Scaggs Island VOR; I was not exactly sure where to proceed direct from that point so I made this call 'Oakland Center; verify clear direct to Sacramento VOR which begins the instrument approach to O88 Airport.' Oakland responded with 'Just follow the clearance. What was the clearance that you received?' I told him the clearance. He interpreted the clearance as 'direct Scaggs direct O88. Which part do you not understand!' Now what does 'direct' mean in this case? Where do they expect me to go? Here is the part that is not clear for me. Does the word 'Direct' at the end of a route assignment mean to go direct to the destination airport or to go to the fix or navigational aids? Part 91.181 (b) I asked the question because I was not sure about the clearance. Earlier that day we took off from OAK to SNS. The clearance was 'Cleared to Salinas Airport via Nuevo Five Departure Shoey transition SNS (VOR) direct. Climb and maintain 7;000.' So after we arrive over SNS VOR are we expected to go direct to the airport? We are already over the airport because the VOR is located at the airport. Now what does 'direct' mean in this case? Where do they expect me to go?
IFR pilot questioned the routing issued by ATC with regard to the last word 'direct'; i.e. is the direct instruction to the airport; the IAP or some other point.