Follow the SID
Heard on 28/8 at LGW and interested in comment/ thought a subject worth airing:
Twr to Ac about to depart and previously cleared on the DVR SID from 26L: "After departure maintain 4000ft."
Ac (pilot) replies: "I always do."
Now, the SID has a step climb doesn't it, from 4000ft to 5000ft, and if cleared on the SID an ac is expected to follow the vertical profile, isn't it? I know this almost never happens, as the tactical situation permits the Controller to give an earlier climb, and on this particular occasion the Twr controller had explained to curious pilots the reason [survey ac at 5000ft - perfect gin clear day].
BUT, wasn't that pilot incorrect to say he always maintains the initial restricted altitude until positively cleared to climb further?
OR, when you think about it, a clearance on a SID without any further clearance is such a rarity and the airspace is so crowded many of us might be nervous about following the full vertical profile without positive clearance.
Or would you behave in just the same way as if cleared for an approach procedure where you would happily follow the vertical profile to the runway.