Narrative:

Our clearance was to depart via the cathedral 9 SID. In 10 years departing palm springs; I have always departed on the palm springs SID. I reviewed the new SID and noticed it was a right turn direct psp VOR. On climbout; we experienced moderate turbulence. Within 3 miles of psp VOR; I realized I was unsure of the turn to make after the VOR. I questioned the captain who advised me it was a left turn; which seemed correct because that was the way we always departed. I figured this SID was only different in that we turned on our own direct to the VOR rather than ATC vectors which took us very close to the same place. Because of the moderate turbulence; I did not have a chance to engage the autopilot; which made it difficult for me to examine the SID (like I should have on the ground) to decide for myself if this turn was correct. As I started turning from 070 to the left (instead of right to 104 degrees) I looked down at the SID and realized the mistake. ATC then advised us of the pilot deviation at the same time and directed us to continue the turn on course and gave us a climb to 15;000 ft. We climbed on course with no further problems. The weather was beautiful with clear skies and terrain in sight at all times. A company advisory to remind pilots of this new procedure which is quite different from our customary departure. Definitely more review on my part on the ground when any new/different procedure is assigned.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew departing PSP realizes airborne they are not familiar with the new CATH9 departure procedure and turn the wrong way at PSP VOR.

Narrative: Our clearance was to depart via the Cathedral 9 SID. In 10 years departing Palm Springs; I have always departed on the Palm Springs SID. I reviewed the new SID and noticed it was a right turn direct PSP VOR. On climbout; we experienced moderate turbulence. Within 3 miles of PSP VOR; I realized I was unsure of the turn to make after the VOR. I questioned the Captain who advised me it was a left turn; which seemed correct because that was the way we always departed. I figured this SID was only different in that we turned on our own direct to the VOR rather than ATC vectors which took us very close to the same place. Because of the moderate turbulence; I did not have a chance to engage the autopilot; which made it difficult for me to examine the SID (like I should have on the ground) to decide for myself if this turn was correct. As I started turning from 070 to the left (instead of right to 104 degrees) I looked down at the SID and realized the mistake. ATC then advised us of the pilot deviation at the same time and directed us to continue the turn on course and gave us a climb to 15;000 FT. We climbed on course with no further problems. The weather was beautiful with clear skies and terrain in sight at all times. A company advisory to remind pilots of this new procedure which is quite different from our customary departure. Definitely more review on my part on the ground when any new/different procedure is assigned.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.