A Beechjet Flight Crew was unable to accept the 'RUUDY TWO RNAV SID; WHITE' out of TEB because the aircraft database did not include the waypoint ELVAE; which is part of the 'WHITE' routing.
Synopsis
A Beechjet Flight Crew was unable to accept the 'RUUDY TWO RNAV SID; WHITE' out of TEB because the aircraft database did not include the waypoint ELVAE; which is part of the 'WHITE' routing.
Narrative
Being aware of current issues associated with the RUUDY2 departure; I briefed my SIC that since we were filed for WHITE that we should expect ELVAE and that we would likely need to verify what they wanted after ELVAE. The plate says over WHITE to expect ELVAE / COL / WHITE. As we were having this discussion my SIC typed ELVAE into the FMS which gave a message 'Not in Database.' We verified the spelling for ELVAE several times and re-entered with the same result; 'Not in Database.' We also verified the current database; which was loaded. I believe it was the PDC that stated if unable to comply with the RUUDY2 to advise; so we advised we did not have ELVAE in our database and they assigned us the TEB6. We programmed this and the flight was flown without incident. I am now aware that the Collins 6000 series avionics does not appear to have ELVAE loaded either. The intent of this report is to point out the lack of ELVAE in the database; as it will likely lead to unnecessary confusion and potential course deviations for crews departing TEB. The company should make crews aware that ELVAE is not in the database.
NASA callback
The reporter; as a member of his company's flight safety committee; is well aware of flight crew problems with the RUUDY TWO RNAV SID; not all of which are as straight forward as getting ELVAE included in the FMS database for easy access. A common problem is the apparent need for crews to interpret the meaning of 'ROUTING' assignments in clearances; i.e. RUUDY TWO; 'WHITE' in this case. The 'ROUTING' portion of the chart advises to 'EXPECT vectors to assigned route/fix.'; below which is a box labeled 'Departures:'. In this column is 'WHITE'; followed by 'EXPECT Vectors to: ELVAE/COL/WHITE. Some crews interpret that as to expect to be vectored to ELVAE; thence direct to COL; thence direct to WHITE; thence on course. Others understand that language to mean to expect vectors to one of the three way points (probably correctly). Still others have expected these to be line selectable SID 'transitions' and are surprised not to find them in the database. The reporter used the word interpret several times during the callback and; when that was brought to his attention; he stated that the apparent need to interpret a departure procedure description is inappropriate.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.