Atl controller described a RNAV departure runway programming error; had the error not been caught th...

Narrative:

I was working the local 3 position in a west configuration. An A320 was holding in position on runway 27R; I told the A320 to RNAV to futbl; runway 27R cleared for takeoff. The A320 read back RNAV to mpass cleared for takeoff. I restated to the A320; verify RNAV to futbl; they responded we have mpass as our first way point. I told the A320 to hold in position; they had the wrong runway programed in the FMS. If the A320 had RNAV'ed to mpass off of runway 27R; he would have crossed over both departure courses on the north side of the runway; creating a potential for disaster. This is not the first time pilots have attempted to turn the wrong way while doing RNAV departures here at atl. I think atl should use headings off the ground. We have so many different configurations; weather it be east; or west configuration; and constantly changing departure split; some runways RNAV; some don't; some do with certain departures; then change back at a moments notice.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ATL Controller described a RNAV departure runway programming error; had the error not been caught the aircraft would have crossed both departure courses.

Narrative: I was working the Local 3 position in a west configuration. An A320 was holding in position on Runway 27R; I told the A320 to RNAV to FUTBL; Runway 27R cleared for takeoff. The A320 read back RNAV to MPASS cleared for takeoff. I restated to the A320; verify RNAV to FUTBL; they responded we have MPASS as our first way point. I told the A320 to hold in position; they had the wrong runway programed in the FMS. If the A320 had RNAV'ed to MPASS off of Runway 27R; he would have crossed over both departure courses on the north side of the runway; creating a potential for disaster. This is not the first time pilots have attempted to turn the wrong way while doing RNAV departures here at ATL. I think ATL should use headings off the ground. We have so many different configurations; weather it be east; or west configuration; and constantly changing departure split; some runways RNAV; some don't; some do with certain departures; then change back at a moments notice.

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.

Attributes
ACN	911728
Time
Date	201010
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ATL.Airport
State Reference	GA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Atl controller described a RNAV departure runway programming error; had the error not been caught the aircraft would have crossed both departure courses.