Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Type 2297
Communication Breakdown; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
Our flight plan was direct WLEEE3 AUS. During climb we were cleared direct BOCCK (named after the style of beer; I suspect) which we complied with. When I opened the WLEEE arrival on my iPad I saw that on the arrival there is a 'BBACH' intersection; presumably named for the composer. I figured we were correct in going to BOCCK; but I queried the controller to confirm (and yes; we were correct).I question the wisdom of having two intersections with identical pronunciations in such close proximity. To reduce the potential for confusion; how about renaming BBACH to BATVN (Beethoven)?
Air Carrier Captain reported of similar sounding intersections that caused confusion for their flight to AUS.