Narrative:

We were cleared from cle via the AMRST4 departure SID. During our briefing of the departure procedure; AMRST4; page 10-3A; we noted that the initial climb verbiage for our initial climb referenced 5;000 feet or assigned altitude. We noted that the top altitude referenced 3;000 feet. We set 3;000 feet in the altitude window and briefed 3;000 feet as the top altitude on the initial climb. We discussed among ourselves how this was confusing; but it seemed that more and more; we are seeing the altitude depictions on sids that are presented in a manner that is sometimes difficult to understand.on the previous flight segment into cle; we had reviewed the cle notams. We saw several; including three notams for instrument approach procedures and the AMRST4 NOTAM requiring RNAV with GPS. Prior to departure from cle; we reviewed the notams again. In both of these reviews; the NOTAM on the AMRST4 that changed the top altitude to 5;000 feet was inadvertently overlooked. Prior to departure; we received our clearance via pre departure clearance. The instructions were to 'climb via the SID;' with no other reference to altitude or departure frequency.after we departed; upon initial check-in with departure control; we stated we were climbing to 3;000 feet. We were cleared higher and subsequently the controller mentioned that there was a NOTAM that changed the top altitude on the SID to 5;000 feet. After reviewing the notams again; we found that NOTAM.we overlooked a NOTAM that we should have seen. This was; however; an error of missing the NOTAM while looking rather than not looking at the notams. As always; a more thorough reading of the notams would have prevented this. We often place information on the cover sheet of the weather packet that sometimes will include pertinent information; runway length; for example. This NOTAM; on this departure SID is a NOTAM that would be a useful addition to the cover sheet on the weather packet for cle departures. ATC will sometimes re-state the top altitude in the pre departure clearance; either for emphasis or by local policy. It would be very helpful if the top altitude would be stated in the pre departure clearance. This could be done in the main body of the pre departure clearance or as a remark as is often the case. This would be especially helpful if there is a NOTAM that lists a different altitude than the SID departure plate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reports being confused by the AMRST4 departure from CLE; with the top altitude on initial departure listed as 3;000 feet and 5;000 feet in different places. A NOTAM apparently cleared up this confusion but the crew did not notice it. ATC made the crew aware when they checked in climbing to 3;000 feet that 5;000 feet was the correct altitude.

Narrative: We were cleared from CLE via the AMRST4 Departure SID. During our briefing of the departure procedure; AMRST4; page 10-3A; we noted that the initial climb verbiage for our initial climb referenced 5;000 feet or assigned altitude. We noted that the top altitude referenced 3;000 feet. We set 3;000 feet in the Altitude window and briefed 3;000 feet as the top altitude on the initial climb. We discussed among ourselves how this was confusing; but it seemed that more and more; we are seeing the altitude depictions on SIDS that are presented in a manner that is sometimes difficult to understand.On the previous flight segment into CLE; we had reviewed the CLE NOTAMs. We saw several; including three NOTAMs for instrument approach procedures and the AMRST4 NOTAM requiring RNAV with GPS. Prior to departure from CLE; we reviewed the NOTAMs again. In both of these reviews; the NOTAM on the AMRST4 that changed the top altitude to 5;000 feet was inadvertently overlooked. Prior to departure; we received our clearance via PDC. The instructions were to 'Climb Via the SID;' with no other reference to altitude or departure frequency.After we departed; upon initial check-in with Departure Control; we stated we were climbing to 3;000 feet. We were cleared higher and subsequently the Controller mentioned that there was a NOTAM that changed the top altitude on the SID to 5;000 feet. After reviewing the NOTAMs again; we found that NOTAM.We overlooked a NOTAM that we should have seen. This was; however; an error of missing the NOTAM while looking rather than not looking at the NOTAMs. As always; a more thorough reading of the NOTAMs would have prevented this. We often place information on the cover sheet of the weather packet that sometimes will include pertinent information; runway length; for example. This NOTAM; on this departure SID is a NOTAM that would be a useful addition to the cover sheet on the weather packet for CLE departures. ATC will sometimes re-state the top altitude in the PDC; either for emphasis or by local policy. It would be very helpful if the top altitude would be stated in the PDC. This could be done in the main body of the PDC or as a remark as is often the case. This would be especially helpful if there is a NOTAM that lists a different altitude than the SID departure plate.

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.