Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turboprop Eng
Confusion
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
General None Reported / Taken
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
Prior to departure the Captain and I discussed the Kingsley 5 departure out of LMT. I read out the initial heading instructions as; heading 140 (runway heading) -THEN- heading 320 and on course as assigned. This is what we flew on departure; initiating the turn after climbing a couple thousand feet. The climb was normal there was never an issue with terrain clearance or cause for concern on a VFR morning. On a heading of 320 and going through about 8;000 FT. The Controller asked. 'Are you on course?' To which I replied affirmative. The Controller then stated that the departure calls for a heading of 140. On reviewing the chart I saw that the departure states heading 140 -OR- as assigned by ATC heading 320 and on course. And I realized that we had turned on course which is normally assigned without a clearance. The Controller never said anything else to follow up and handed us off a short time later.[I believe the cause was] lack of precise reading of the departure procedure and clear communication and verification about the departure. Changed planned departure runway due to runway closure added to workload. I was late switching to Departure being involved in configuring to climb. Normally we would have been cleared for the turn on course right away barring traffic issues on the initial contact. Reiterate need to be vigilant and methodical.
The Reporter stated that this departure was on a normally scheduled flight but airport construction and a late departure runway change resulted in a hurried departure brief. During the last minute brief he simply misread and therefore incorrectly briefed the Captain about maintaining runway heading. The chart wording is not confusing and does not need revision; the Reporter stated he needs to slow down when feeling rushed.
During a hurried takeoff brief of the LMT KINGSLEY 5 departure; the First Officer incorrectly stated 'turn to 320' after takeoff because he misread the textual description following a last minute runway change.