CRJ700 crew reports being given a heading during climb. Some time later; passing FL210 a traffic conflict develops requiring Controller intervention. The crew believes the heading change issued by ATC had little effect on track due a wind shift during climb.
Synopsis
CRJ700 crew reports being given a heading during climb. Some time later; passing FL210 a traffic conflict develops requiring Controller intervention. The crew believes the heading change issued by ATC had little effect on track due a wind shift during climb.
Narrative
Approximately 10 miles before reaching CARPT; Atlanta Center assigned us 'present heading.' We complied with instructions. The Captain was flying and centered the heading with our current heading and selected heading mode. I saw the HDG command appear on the right of the cyan annunciator on PFD and move to the left side; replacing the FMS command. Several miles later climbing through approximately FL240; we saw an aircraft on the TCAS outside the 10 mile ring descending approximately 600 FT above us. As we were about to query ATC and the Captain was getting ready to turn; ATC advised us to turn right 20 degrees. The aircraft changed back from yellow TA to cyan. ATC asked if we remembered him giving us 'present heading.' I replied yes; that we had been on heading mode since before CARPT. He later gave us a phone number to call when we got on the ground in because we had been involved in a possible course deviation.The winds shifted twice between ATL and BNA. At 10;000 FT; the winds were 280/10 KTS. After we were given a heading and continued our climb; the winds shifting to out of the northeast. The winds in the mid-20;000s were 030/27-35 KTS. These winds kept us close to the original course we were supposed to have after CARPT. We were not right of the original course as we should have been in a calm wind scenario. I do not know if the Controller did not have the same wind information or did not plan on the wind correction when assigning us the heading. As we continued on; the winds shifted back to the northwest; between 280 and 300.
Second reporter narrative
ATL Center issued us present heading before COKEM; we selected heading mode. Later ATL Center said; 'Do you remember me giving you a heading'. We replied; yes; we are in heading mode. There was traffic at about 10 mile coming toward us and 500 FT above us. We were climbing through about 21;000 FT. Center gave us a 30 degree right heading; we complied and traffic was never much closer then 10 miles.Wind at lower altitudes was 270/ 10 at our altitude wind was 030/26. Present heading did not put us right of course. In heading mode we were almost exactly on our filed route.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.