F16C pilot misinterprets controller clearance, heading deviation.

Attributes
ACN	335280
Time
Date	199605
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : chs
State Reference	SC
Altitude	msl bound lower : 1500 msl bound upper : 7000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : chs
Operator	other
Make Model Name	Fighter
Flight Phase	climbout : initial
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	government : military
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : military
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 50 flight time total : 2000 flight time type : 900
ASRS Report	335280
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : local
Qualification	controller : non radar
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : clearance other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other controllera
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was military code returning to charleston AFB. Following my first approach at charleston AFB, I requested a simulated flameout approach. Our LOA stipulates the altitude for this approach, which is at least 7000 ft AGL. ATC said that following my low approach I was to maintain runway heading and climb to 2000 ft MSL and contact departure for the simulated flameout pattern. Normally following a low approach, we are cleared to 7000 ft overhead the field (remaining on tower frequency) and then tower clears us to descend for the simulated flameout. I started my climb out instructions and ATC said that I was 'cleared to 7000 ft.' I took this to mean I was cleared to climb overhead the field to 7000 ft and remain with tower, but it became clear that ATC expected me to climb out on runway heading to 7000 ft and contact departure. If ever there is a question as to the clearance, I need to query the controller!

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: F16C PLT MISINTERPRETS CTLR CLRNC, HDG DEV.

Narrative: I WAS MIL CODE RETURNING TO CHARLESTON AFB. FOLLOWING MY FIRST APCH AT CHARLESTON AFB, I REQUESTED A SIMULATED FLAMEOUT APCH. OUR LOA STIPULATES THE ALT FOR THIS APCH, WHICH IS AT LEAST 7000 FT AGL. ATC SAID THAT FOLLOWING MY LOW APCH I WAS TO MAINTAIN RWY HDG AND CLB TO 2000 FT MSL AND CONTACT DEP FOR THE SIMULATED FLAMEOUT PATTERN. NORMALLY FOLLOWING A LOW APCH, WE ARE CLRED TO 7000 FT OVERHEAD THE FIELD (REMAINING ON TWR FREQ) AND THEN TWR CLRS US TO DSND FOR THE SIMULATED FLAMEOUT. I STARTED MY CLBOUT INSTRUCTIONS AND ATC SAID THAT I WAS 'CLRED TO 7000 FT.' I TOOK THIS TO MEAN I WAS CLRED TO CLB OVERHEAD THE FIELD TO 7000 FT AND REMAIN WITH TWR, BUT IT BECAME CLR THAT ATC EXPECTED ME TO CLBOUT ON RWY HDG TO 7000 FT AND CONTACT DEP. IF EVER THERE IS A QUESTION AS TO THE CLRNC, I NEED TO QUERY THE CTLR!

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.