A pilot using an ipad had a track deviation because of a communication error and reported the electr...

Attributes
ACN	948785
Time
Date	201105
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZAB.ARTCC
State Reference	NM
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft Low Wing 1 Eng Retractable Gear
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct Airway V12
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Electronic Flt Bag (EFB)
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25 Flight Crew Total 2462 Flight Crew Type 1690
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types

Narrative:

We were filed guy dht tafoy aeg. East of otto we were given an amended clearance; 'direct to otto then V16 (we thought) abq aeg.' we repeated that clearance and had no comment from center. When we looked at our low altitude chart (using electronic charts) we saw that V12 was a course between otto and abq. We noticed that V60 also went from otto to abq. We did not clarify with center the correct airway; but since we had written down V16 we thought we had misunderstood and the correct clearance was V12 so we proceeded on V12 after crossing otto. When the controller queried us about the course; we confirmed we were on V12 and were told we were cleared via V60 not V12. We altered course and intercepted V60 and continued. One contributing factor is that the electronic chart overlays the course on the airways and covers up the airway numbers so I was having a problem reading the airway number and thought I had it correct when in fact it was not. I am going to ask foreflight to consider changing the course line to a transparent color rather than a solid color. To prevent recurrence I will ask for clarification if I don't see the numbers I am expecting even if the controller is very busy.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot using an iPad had a track deviation because of a communication error and reported the electronic Foreflight track overlaying the Victor airway prevented him from reading the airway number.

Narrative: We were filed GUY DHT TAFOY AEG. East of OTTO we were given an amended clearance; 'Direct to OTTO then V16 (we thought) ABQ AEG.' We repeated that clearance and had no comment from Center. When we looked at our low altitude chart (using electronic charts) we saw that V12 was a course between OTTO and ABQ. We noticed that V60 also went from OTTO to ABQ. We did not clarify with Center the correct airway; but since we had written down V16 we thought we had misunderstood and the correct clearance was V12 so we proceeded on V12 after crossing OTTO. When the Controller queried us about the course; we confirmed we were on V12 and were told we were cleared via V60 not V12. We altered course and intercepted V60 and continued. One contributing factor is that the electronic chart overlays the course on the airways and covers up the airway numbers so I was having a problem reading the airway number and thought I had it correct when in fact it was not. I am going to ask ForeFlight to consider changing the course line to a transparent color rather than a solid color. To prevent recurrence I will ask for clarification if I don't see the numbers I am expecting even if the Controller is very busy.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

A pilot using an ipad had a track deviation because of a communication error and reported the electronic foreflight track overlaying the victor airway prevented him from reading the airway number.