Narrative:

Departed ZZZ for hpn with a clearance of zzzzz SID ZZZ; pontiac; dny; direct hpn. Entered psi for pontiac instead of pnt. Both identifiers are for pontiac (one in illinois and the other in michigan). On climbout; while passing FL270 we made the turn to psi (to the right); and the controller queried us if we were proceeding to pontiac. We acknowledged 'yes' but she said it should be a left turn to pnt. It was then we realized we had entered the wrong pontiac identifier. Both psi and pnt identifiers stand for pontiac and they are only 259 NM apart in the same direction of our route to hpn. After verifying the route and desired pnt identifier we proceeded in the correct direction. Btw; the flight plan filed did not have pontiac on the route of flight. So when verifying the route; psi stood for pontiac and we assumed that was the correct identifier.event was detected by ATC when we did not make a left turn towards pnt after spi but a slight right turn to psi. The event happened because pontiac has two identifiers and the controller never specified the one desired or cleared to when he gave us the clearance on the ground. Second; pontiac identifier (pnt) was not in our filed flight plan which might have helped us identify the correct and desired pontiac to go to. Third; both crew members were not aware of the existence or distinction between the two separate pontiac identifiers so close together.after verifying with ATC the correct pontiac desired (pnt); and the remainder of the route to hpn; we proceed to make a left turn direct to pnt.after receiving clearances; verify the cleared to identifier points by crosschecking the filed flight plan route or the route depicted on flight aware; or query the clearance delivery personnel if an identifier is in question and not on the flight plan filed. Second; would recommend not having two pontiac identifiers so close together (259 NM apart); if it can be avoided. Or if not possible; then controller should clearly state the correct identifier by phonetically spelling it or telling us the state it is in.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Pilots report of similar sounding VOR's which caused confusion when the entered the flight plan in the FMS. This caused the aircraft to deviate from its flight plan.

Narrative: Departed ZZZ for HPN with a clearance of ZZZZZ SID ZZZ; Pontiac; DNY; direct HPN. Entered PSI for Pontiac instead of PNT. Both identifiers are for Pontiac (one in Illinois and the other in Michigan). On climbout; while passing FL270 we made the turn to PSI (to the right); and the Controller queried us if we were proceeding to Pontiac. We acknowledged 'Yes' but she said it should be a left turn to PNT. It was then we realized we had entered the wrong Pontiac identifier. Both PSI and PNT identifiers stand for Pontiac and they are only 259 NM apart in the same direction of our route to HPN. After verifying the route and desired PNT identifier we proceeded in the correct direction. BTW; the flight plan filed did not have Pontiac on the route of flight. So when verifying the route; PSI stood for Pontiac and we assumed that was the correct identifier.Event was detected by ATC when we did not make a left turn towards PNT after SPI but a slight right turn to PSI. The event happened because Pontiac has two identifiers and the Controller never specified the one desired or cleared to when he gave us the clearance on the ground. Second; Pontiac identifier (PNT) was not in our filed flight plan which might have helped us identify the correct and desired Pontiac to go to. Third; both crew members were not aware of the existence or distinction between the two separate Pontiac identifiers so close together.After verifying with ATC the correct Pontiac desired (PNT); and the remainder of the route to HPN; we proceed to make a left turn direct to PNT.After receiving clearances; verify the cleared to identifier points by crosschecking the filed flight plan route or the route depicted on flight aware; or query the Clearance Delivery personnel if an identifier is in question and not on the flight plan filed. Second; would recommend not having two Pontiac identifiers so close together (259 NM apart); if it can be avoided. Or if not possible; then controller should clearly state the correct identifier by phonetically spelling it or telling us the state it is in.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.