Narrative:

I use an ipad 1st generation with [a] foreflight professional subscription for charts and maps used for reference during flight. I had the NOTWN3 SID selected for the departure just prior to takeoff. All other navaids (VOR; GPS) were set to fly the departure. The problem arose when just after takeoff I noticed a geo-position symbol of my aircraft was present on my departure plate pointing in a southeast relative direction to the orientation of my departure plate. This geo-position feature is normally not present on sids or stars since they're not to scale. Unfortunately; its presence caused me to get a real case of disorientation. My first instinct after safely airborne and cleaned up; was to ask the controller using the terminology 'which way?' I got a reply of 'left turn.' so; I turned left to approximately 270; while trying to cycle my GPS to the next point ruzco so that I can at least fly direct to it and resume course guidance from the GPS. I'm sure while trying to do this; I overshot the 313-right. Not sure exactly where; but I promptly received instructions to turn right to an easterly heading (080 or 090 not sure). That vector was fine with me as I was heading towards high terrain in front of me. At this point; I felt relieved that I was now getting vectors and at the same time; relieved from having to resume the departure. Partly through the turn; I was asked to turn 'left' to an easterly heading and I told the controller that I preferred to continue the right turn. My reasoning was that I was getting clear of the terrain on the north saddle; and felt uncomfortable turning right back into it with a left turn and possibly getting a terrain warning from my system. I did not verbalize this to the controller and he didn't ask otherwise. The remaining flight from thereon was uneventful. Additionally; I didn't perceive there was any immediately conflicting traffic; nor was it pointed out to me otherwise. I'm fortunate this happened during a perfectly clear; VFR day; as I was prepared to cancel IFR; if needed. Of course; I've learned from this situation to get back to the basics of re-enforcing the review of IFR procedures throughly; and rely on my green navigation to fly them with more surety and confidence. There were no other contributing factors.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CE560 pilot reported he became disoriented while referring to his iPad after takeoff; and was unsure how to fly the departure.

Narrative: I use an iPad 1st generation with [a] ForeFlight Professional subscription for charts and maps used for reference during flight. I had the NOTWN3 SID selected for the departure just prior to takeoff. All other NAVAIDS (VOR; GPS) were set to fly the departure. The problem arose when just after takeoff I noticed a geo-position symbol of my aircraft was present on my departure plate pointing in a southeast relative direction to the orientation of my departure plate. This geo-position feature is normally not present on SIDs or STARs since they're not to scale. Unfortunately; its presence caused me to get a real case of disorientation. My first instinct after safely airborne and cleaned up; was to ask the controller using the terminology 'Which way?' I got a reply of 'left turn.' So; I turned left to approximately 270; while trying to cycle my GPS to the next point RUZCO so that I can at least fly direct to it and resume course guidance from the GPS. I'm sure while trying to do this; I overshot the 313-R. Not sure exactly where; but I promptly received instructions to turn right to an easterly heading (080 or 090 not sure). That vector was fine with me as I was heading towards high terrain in front of me. At this point; I felt relieved that I was now getting vectors and at the same time; relieved from having to resume the departure. Partly through the turn; I was asked to turn 'left' to an easterly heading and I told the controller that I preferred to continue the right turn. My reasoning was that I was getting clear of the terrain on the north saddle; and felt uncomfortable turning right back into it with a left turn and possibly getting a terrain warning from my system. I did not verbalize this to the controller and he didn't ask otherwise. The remaining flight from thereon was uneventful. Additionally; I didn't perceive there was any immediately conflicting traffic; nor was it pointed out to me otherwise. I'm fortunate this happened during a perfectly clear; VFR day; as I was prepared to cancel IFR; if needed. Of course; I've learned from this situation to get back to the basics of re-enforcing the review of IFR procedures THROUGHLY; and rely on my GREEN NAV to fly them with more surety and confidence. There were no other contributing factors.

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.