An avl local controller issued a heading vector after takeoff which the crew did not clearly underst...

Narrative:

Our clearance departing runway 16 in avl was to fly runway heading to 10;000 MSL. (The standard clearance often received departing this runway). We were cleared for takeoff. At liftoff the tower controller issued a new instruction; leaving 2;500 MSL turn right heading 200 degrees; I think. We were busy taking off and the first officer did not understand the clearance and had him clarify it; I think twice (the right thing to do considering our work load at the moment). The tower controller seemed quite angry and yelled to turn right to a heading of 200 degrees. We complied. His tone and angry reaction was out of the ordinary. Yes; he did have to repeat himself; but his reaction was not one that I would expect from ATC. We received this clearance at liftoff. This was a threat. We were concentrating on the task at hand during a critical phase of flight. Having the controller repeat and clarify I think was prudent if the first officer did not understand the instruction. I am writing this though because of the reaction of the controller. He seemed angry for having to repeat himself.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An AVL Local Controller issued a heading vector after takeoff which the crew did not clearly understand and the Controller became angry at having to repeat the clearance.

Narrative: Our clearance departing Runway 16 in AVL was to fly runway heading to 10;000 MSL. (The standard clearance often received departing this runway). We were cleared for takeoff. At liftoff the Tower Controller issued a new instruction; leaving 2;500 MSL turn right heading 200 degrees; I think. We were busy taking off and the First Officer did not understand the clearance and had him clarify it; I think twice (the right thing to do considering our work load at the moment). The Tower Controller seemed quite angry and yelled to turn right to a heading of 200 degrees. We complied. His tone and angry reaction was out of the ordinary. Yes; he did have to repeat himself; but his reaction was not one that I would expect from ATC. We received this clearance at liftoff. This was a threat. We were concentrating on the task at hand during a critical phase of flight. Having the Controller repeat and clarify I think was prudent if the First Officer did not understand the instruction. I am writing this though because of the reaction of the Controller. He seemed angry for having to repeat himself.

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.

Attributes
ACN	979927
Time
Date	201111
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	AVL.Tower
State Reference	NC
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Medium Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Track / Heading All Types

An avl local controller issued a heading vector after takeoff which the crew did not clearly understand and the controller became angry at having to repeat the clearance.