An md-11 flight crew; cleared via the molokai SID from phnl from runway 8R; was chastised by ATC for...

Narrative:

[I was the] captain [pilot] flying [for] runway 8R departure. Release and pre departure clearance both showed the molokai four departure (MKK4.) the commercially provided SID routing text reads: 'turn right/left to heading assigned by tower....' initial climb for 8L/right reads: 'must complete right turn to assigned heading within 2 NM of departure end of runway (hnl 3.6 DME)' pre departure clearance showed filed departure and routing; with this note: 'cleared to destination airport right heading 140; comply with SID altitude restrictions....' captain thoroughly briefed MKK4 departure with a right turn to 140 within 3.6 hnl and climb to 5;000 feet. Hnl was hard tuned in number 1 VOR for cross check. NADP2 was selected. We departed straight out; accelerated; began clean up and started a right turn at 2.5 miles. After right turn commenced; ATC said turn right to 170; complied. Then ATC said turn to 140; turned back to 140. ATC asked if we were aware we needed to make a right turn after take off. We said 'yes.' we were quite confused at that point. After considering ATC's remark; I believe they expected an immediate right turn after takeoff (this would totally avoid the beach area.)we completely complied with the SID; albeit we flew straight out for a mile or so prior to commencing the turn. We stayed inside the 3.6 mile restriction of hnl VOR. I rarely fly out of hnl. I believe both the SID and the pre departure clearance should clearly state; 'immediate right turn after departure' or 'on departure; turn right to heading....' that is much different than; 'must complete right turn within 2 NM of departure end of runway (hnl 3.6 DME).' so...semantics are important. What is written is not what they seem to expect. This is a miscommunication between the chart's depiction of the SID; the ATC/pre departure clearance phrasing and the pilots understanding of what is being requested. Let's be clear to keep from misunderstanding.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An MD-11 flight crew; cleared via the Molokai SID from PHNL from Runway 8R; was chastised by ATC for not turning right to 140 degrees in a timely fashion despite completing the turn prior to the HNL 3.6 DME as charted.

Narrative: [I was the] Captain [pilot] flying [for] Runway 8R departure. Release and PDC both showed the Molokai Four Departure (MKK4.) The commercially provided SID Routing text reads: 'Turn right/left to heading assigned by Tower....' Initial Climb for 8L/R reads: 'Must complete right turn to assigned heading within 2 NM of departure end of runway (HNL 3.6 DME)' PDC showed filed departure and routing; with this note: 'cleared to destination airport right heading 140; comply with SID altitude restrictions....' Captain thoroughly briefed MKK4 departure with a right turn to 140 within 3.6 HNL and climb to 5;000 feet. HNL was hard tuned in Number 1 VOR for cross check. NADP2 was selected. We departed straight out; accelerated; began clean up and started a right turn at 2.5 miles. After right turn commenced; ATC said turn right to 170; complied. Then ATC said turn to 140; turned back to 140. ATC asked if we were aware we needed to make a right turn after take off. We said 'yes.' We were quite confused at that point. After considering ATC's remark; I believe they expected an immediate right turn after takeoff (this would totally avoid the beach area.)We completely complied with the SID; albeit we flew straight out for a mile or so prior to commencing the turn. We stayed inside the 3.6 mile restriction of HNL VOR. I rarely fly out of HNL. I believe both the SID and the PDC should clearly state; 'Immediate right turn after departure' OR 'on departure; turn right to heading....' That is MUCH different than; 'must complete right turn within 2 NM of departure end of runway (HNL 3.6 DME).' So...semantics are important. What is written is not what they seem to expect. This is a miscommunication between the chart's depiction of the SID; the ATC/PDC phrasing and the pilots understanding of what is being requested. Let's be clear to keep from misunderstanding.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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	1089956
Time
Date	201305
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	HCF.TRACON
State Reference	HI
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-11
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Track / Heading All Types

An md-11 flight crew; cleared via the molokai SID from phnl from runway 8R; was chastised by ATC for not turning right to 140 degrees in a timely fashion despite completing the turn prior to the hnl 3.6 DME as charted.