Narrative:

Aircraft X checked onto departure flying the MNZNO3 departure and was instructed 'to climb via SID'. Aircraft X read back climb via SID and 'our clearance we were given 9 thousand'. The instructions 'climb via sid' is supposed to delete the restriction of 90 and have them climb via to FL200. When aircraft X was instructed to 'climb via SID top altitude FL200;' they understood the instructions and the confusion was eliminated. This confusion presents itself every day at abq when pilots are given a SID and clearance delivery assigns 'climb via SID except maintain 100'. When departure is to clear an aircraft up to the top altitude of the SID; the phraseology is 'climb via SID'. Pilots are confused interpreting these instructions. This can present an unsafe situation when pilots are assigned a MNZNO3 departure because of the MVA's (minimum vectoring altitude) to the east and not being able to make the climb. If the pilot is confused and levels off at 90; or starts a late climb; there is a good chance they will not climb high enough above the MVA in time while tracking the SID. Say the pilot reads back correctly 'climb via SID'; the controller is expecting them to comply with these instructions. Say the controller is busy and does not notice the pilot leveled off; it presents a very unsafe situation as described above. Aircraft on clearance should be instructed to 'climb via SID' with no altitude restrictions; and if approach needs an altitude restriction this will be given upon aircraft check in.-or- all pilots need to be on the same page that when departure clears an aircraft to 'climb via SID' this deletes the clearance delivery restriction previously given.-or-7110.65 phraseology needs to be changed to make it clear to all pilots what altitude they need to climb to. For example; 'climb via SID' which deletes the restriction given by clearance delivery; should be changed to 'climb via SID; top altitude _____.' the departure controller would then state the top altitude they want the pilot to climb to. This would eliminate all confusion.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ABQ TRACON Controller reported issues relating to the Climb Via clearance.

Narrative: Aircraft X checked onto departure flying the MNZNO3 Departure and was instructed 'To climb via SID'. Aircraft X read back climb via SID and 'Our clearance we were given 9 thousand'. The instructions 'Climb via Sid' is supposed to delete the restriction of 90 and have them climb via to FL200. When Aircraft X was instructed to 'Climb via SID top altitude FL200;' they understood the instructions and the confusion was eliminated. This confusion presents itself every day at ABQ when pilots are given a SID and clearance delivery assigns 'Climb via SID except maintain 100'. When Departure is to clear an aircraft up to the top altitude of the SID; the phraseology is 'Climb via SID'. Pilots are confused interpreting these instructions. This can present an unsafe situation when pilots are assigned a MNZNO3 Departure because of the MVA's (Minimum Vectoring Altitude) to the east and not being able to make the climb. If the pilot is confused and levels off at 90; or starts a late climb; there is a good chance they will not climb high enough above the MVA in time while tracking the SID. Say the pilot reads back correctly 'Climb via SID'; the controller is expecting them to comply with these instructions. Say the controller is busy and does not notice the pilot leveled off; it presents a very unsafe situation as described above. Aircraft on clearance should be instructed to 'Climb via SID' with no altitude restrictions; and if Approach needs an altitude restriction this will be given upon aircraft check in.-OR- All pilots need to be on the same page that when Departure clears an aircraft to 'Climb via SID' this deletes the clearance delivery restriction previously given.-OR-7110.65 phraseology needs to be changed to make it clear to all pilots what altitude they need to climb to. For example; 'Climb via SID' which deletes the restriction given by clearance delivery; should be changed to 'Climb via SID; top altitude _____.' The Departure Controller would then state the top altitude they want the pilot to climb to. This would eliminate all confusion.

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.