Date: 202003
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: MD-11
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Cargo / Freight / Delivery
Flight phase: Climb
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Aircraft component: Navigation Database
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Training / Qualification
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: MEL; Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Our airplane was dispatched with MEL 34-XX-XX FMS Nav Database Out of Date. I didn't realize until during my preflight that we were filed an RNAV departure. The previously mentioned MEL precludes any RNAV procedures in the terminal area. I contacted our Dispatcher and he coordinated for a new CPDLC departure clearance which included the ZZZZZ SID--see attached photo for the exact wording. The departure clearance also included a LOAD REVIEW prompt (see attached photo); which I selected and then selected LOAD ACT. At this point the active flight plan had ZZZ XXR on line one; ZZZZZ1 on line two and ZZZ1 on line three with no DISCON's. Fast forward to the takeoff position runway XXR; our takeoff clearance was heading 270deg; climb & maintain 5000. Once airborne we received a couple headings with the final heading being 010 deg to join the ZZZZZ1 transition. The FO entered ZZZon the NAV RAD page and armed the VOR. The airplane intercepted the radial and flew it outbound. At ZZZZZ1 the FMS transitioned to heading mode. That seemed to be the correct thing to do because the wording in the ROUTING box of the SID read; 'Crossing the transition fix; continue on current heading; EXPECT vectors from ZZZ Center to join filed route.' We requested direct ZZZ1 from the low sector controller who handed us off to the high sector controller for that request. That controller seemed a bit confounded by our request but he did clear us direct ZZZ1. A few minutes later he asked us if we had time for a question. During the ensuing conversation he stated that ATC understood our flight to be cleared and expected us to fly direct ZZZ1 after ZZZZZ1. He said he (and his colleagues) had no knowledge of the verbiage I mentioned earlier about continuing on current heading.Cause: In retrospect; I believe the confusion was generally caused because we were transitioning from a traditional NAVAID departure to an RNAV enroute routing. Specifically; numerous after-the-fact rereads made me realize that the wording and format of our second CPDLC clearance was anything but clear.Suggestions: A clearer; more straightforward clearance could have helped alleviate some confusion. Additionally; filing for radar vectors rather a traditional SID on departure would probably be the best course of action when an airplane is not legal to fly RNAV procedures in the terminal area.


Second narrative: We were scheduled to fly airplane [tail number]. This airplane had MEL 34-XX-XX FMS NAV database out of date. This Mel does not allow for the use of RNAV SIDS. We were filed on an RNAV Sid. We didn't catch this until we were at the airplane. We called our Dispatcher and they refilled us on the ZZZZZ. We also received a new clearance via CPDLC. I have attached a copy of the clearance. After takeoff we were given 'turn to heading 010 and join the ZZZZZ1 Transition '. We tuned the vor and intercepted the course to ZZZZZ1 on the Jeppesen plate for the ZZZZZ under the Routing section it says 'expect vectors to join assigned transition fix; continue on current heading; expect vectors from ZZZ Center to join filed route.' As we got closer to ZZZZZ1 and hadn't gotten any instruction we ask center for direct ZZZ1. The controller said he cannot give us direct and to contact the next controller. By the time we got ahold of the next controller we were past ZZZZZ1 on our previous heading. We asked for direct to ZZZ1. We were given it. A minute later the controller asked if we had time for a question. We had a quick discussion and he said that they were expecting us to have turned at ZZZZZ1 to ZZZ1. We told them about what the routing box on the Jepp plate said and they were unaware of that verbage. Cause: I believe that the late change to a NON RNAV sid they we don't normally do. Along with the verbiage In the Routing box on the Jepp plate; and the CPDLC clearance with a change led to us being confused about what to do after the fix ZZZZZ1. Suggestions: I think having the wording on the Jepp plate be more inline with what ATC expects would be helpful.


Synopsis: MD-11 flight crew reported a communication breakdown between with ATC regarding departure clearance.