Terrain at the airport where I work is not a real problem re "maintain runway heading". However, ever since we got closed-spaced parallels the phraseology has been a topic of discussion.
Generally the intent is to have the aircraft climb on runway centreline. A couple of controllers here say "Maintain runway track". With recent ICAO phraseology harmonisation our AIP now says "Track ...(magnetic direction of runway...)" or "Climb straight ahead". However, people frequently fall back to the old phrase "Maintain runway heading". (I've just noted that "maintaining runway heading" is listed as a pilot phrase on first contact with Departures, but it is not listed as an option for ATC to issue as a departure instruction.)
To me "Maintain runway heading" means just that - no allowance for drift. It doesn't seem appropriate in a parallel runway scenario, especially close-spaced. Additionally, given the ambiguity in AIP, I would like to see pilots query "heading or track?"
Ausatco
[This message has been edited by Ausatco (edited 13 November 2000).]