Date: 201708
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: NCT.TRACON, CA
Aircraft: Large Transport
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class C SJC
ATC / advisory: TRACON NCT
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Departure
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Chart Or Publication; Airspace Structure; Manuals; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: Aircraft X departed on the LOUPE4 SID. The pilot did not turn to the 123 heading as per SID. I questioned the pilot when I noticed he was heading northbound. The pilot read back turning to heading 123 in a manner that indicated to me he had no intention of turning [to] that heading on his own. I vectored the aircraft away from adjacent airspace and other aircraft prior to getting him back on the SID.This occurrence happens far too many times. We as departure controllers are subject to these errors far too many times. This SID has proven over and over that it is a poorly designed procedure in a very complex part of TRACON airspace. All anyone needs to do is review a history of how many times this happens; and one can come to an easy conclusion that there is something wrong with the departure procedures. Time and time again there have been separation events due to the 'runaway' SID. As a matter of fact; I had another 'runaway' SID just 7 minutes prior to this event. I have suggested in the past that since SJC Tower is a radar tower; and is responsible for successive Departure separation; they should ensure all aircraft are in the right turn prior to communications transfer. Tower does not and will not stop departures even though there is a runaway LOUPE4 SID. The departure controller is subject to a tremendous responsibility to point out the runaway; get them on vectors away from adjacent airspace and other aircraft. All the while; automatic departures are still being cleared for takeoff. If SJC Tower were to be responsible for ensuring the aircraft are in the turn prior to frequency change; then they would be more reluctant to keep departures going until ensured separation exists. Until there are changes to departure procedures; there will continue to be these kind of events being filed.


Second narrative: Departing runway 30R; assigned SID LOUPE4 via CPDCL (Controller Pilot Datalink Communications). Initial climb instructions are 'climb heading 306 degrees at SJC D1.8 northwest turn right heading 123 degrees. Expect vectors to SJC VOR; then via SJC radial 340 to BMRNG. Maintain 5000 ft expect filed altitude 10 min after departure.'Normal takeoff heading 306 degrees; at 1.8 SJC DME initiated turn to heading 123 degrees. Direct BMRNG selected and LNAV engaged. Approximately 10 seconds later Departure Control radioed 'to confirm in a turn to 123 degrees' and I continued turn to 123 degrees after a moment of wings level to follow LNAV magenta track towards BMRNG. Departure advised of possible airspace violation due to delay in turn to heading 123 degrees. Selection of direct BMRNG by PM (Pilot Monitoring) on initial climb out confused me. Contributing factor was the IPAD trays to hold electronic documentation; the LOUPE4 SID; were not installed and a cursory look through the cockpit did not find them. As this was a new aircraft we both thought they were not installed. Had we both had our IPads in the trays attached to the side cockpit we would have been able to reference the SID immediately. I had to put my IPad down on top of my kitbag; out of immediate sight for the takeoff. The trays were found later in the flight in the storage area on the starboard side of cockpit below the jump seat area at floor level.


Synopsis: NCT Departure Controller and an Air Carrier flight crew reported the flight crew flew the SID incorrectly.