Challenger CL604
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
Page one of our PDC stated 'Cleared as Filed; PNUTT 8 Departure'. Page two advised 'RNAV aircraft cleared via assigned RNAV SID. NON-RNAV equipped aircraft cleared via ATLANTA FIVE.' I discussed the clearance with the Captain and we interpreted the PDC message to direct us to fly the ATLANTA FIVE departure procedure. The Captain loaded two ATLANTA FIVE departure fixes in the FMS. We then discussed the SID and how it could apply to our filed route of flight. Taxi out time was 25 minutes with 6 frequencies changes. When cleared into position the 9L Tower Controller cleared the preceding aircraft direct to GRITZ Intersection. After takeoff we were also cleared to GRITZ. I attempted to type GRITZ in the FMS but typed in GRITS. I immediately asked Departure for an initial heading for GRITZ with which the Controller complied. I then had a short discussion with the controller about our assigned SID. Afterward; we were cleared direct PNUTT. At no time was there any conflict with other aircraft or TCAS advisories. We had misinterpreted the PDC. We both agreed we had not seen a PDC format such as the one received in this situation. 2 pages of departure review message information with 2 SIDS viewable. Both crew have extensive experience in high traffic air carrier hub airports. I suggest a standard PDC message departure information format be implemented in the future as well as heightened crew awareness training on PDC message SID information.
We were reviewing the clearance in the FMS box together. Reading the PDC in the FMS I saw the PNUTT SIX and proceeded to put it in the FMS box. The First Officer corrected me and said 'no it's the ATLANTA FIVE departure.' I had failed to go back to the first page of the PDC and instead read the second page; which stated; 'RNAV ACFT CLEARED VIA ASSIGNED RNAV SID; NON-RNAV EQUIPPED ACFT CLEARED VIA ATL5; JETS MAINTAIN...' After reading the last portion of the 2nd page; I removed the PNUTT SIX SID and reviewed the ATLANTA FIVE. I had a weird feeling as I looked it over that something wasn't right. I even went back and added two fixes from the ATL5 departure (since there wasn't an ATL5 in the FMS box to select; another warning something wasn't right). I didn't want any surprises. We both agreed that keeping PDC information simple with clearances. A clearance should contain what the flight Crew had filed; and how ATC has CLEARED them; without unnecessary reminders being contained in the clearance. The current format of PDC could be enhanced for safety by removing the unnecessary reminders regarding the equipment compliances for flight. In our case it created more confusion than clarification.
A CL-604 flight crew misinterpreted the meaning of a SID clarification message on their PDC and attempted to fly the ATLANTA FIVE SID vice the PNUTT SIX RNAV SID appropriate for their FMC equipped aircraft.