Learjet 60
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 6700; Flight Crew Type 50
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
Miami center cleared our aircraft from 10;000 to 17;000. At approximately 11;000 we received a warning to monitor vertical speed and traffic showed on TCAS display. Traffic was then spotted visually off the left side. We then climbed through his altitude. We did receive a 'descend now' aural warning but continued the climb because we had visual contact and could 'see and avoid' the traffic. ATC did not call traffic so we elected to advise ATC of conflict at later time for their review. Several minutes later we were cleared from FL320 to FL360 by ATC. After initiating the climb we were asked for our rate of climb. We responded with 4;000 FPM. ATC then asked if we could maintain that VSI to FL380. We responded that we could hold 3;500 FPM to FL380. ATC then cleared us to FL380 while maintaining 3;500 FPM in the climb which we complied with. A short while later we heard ATC asking another aircraft (with a similar number) for his rate of climb. He replied with 1;500 FPM. Then ATC asked for clarification as to whom was maintaining 3;500 FPM and FL380 to which we replied.In reviewing the facts; I believe that there were two potential issues here. The first was ATC not advising of traffic as we were cleared from 10;000 to 17;000 causing a RA. The second was ATC calling the incorrect N-number or us responding to a call for the wrong N-number. This could have been avoided by a statement of 'like' N-numbers on the same frequency.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Learjet 60 flight crew experienced an RA and later some confusion on assigned altitudes with ATC. There was another aircraft with a very similar number on frequency.