A300
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
An Airbus questioned Ground Control/Flight Data on the Spokane Two Departure. The aircraft wanted to know what the 4;000 was for; and if he needed to level off at 4;000 or continue climbing. This happens a lot. I have recently questioned the wording and significance of 4;000 on the Spokane Two Departure. The Spokane Two Departure [needs to] be NOTAMed immediately clarifying that 4;000 is extraneous information; and the pilot should disregard it and continue to climb to FL120. Secondly; recommend changing the Spokane Two Departure in the next publication ASAP to read more clearly and get rid of 4;000; as this procedure has been out for over a year.
GEG Controller voiced concern regarding the published 4;000 altitude restriction on the Spokane Two Departure; noting ATC is expecting aircraft to climb to 12;000; the reporter recommending modifications to the SID chart.