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Originally Posted by BobDDuck  Is there some sort of MEL or procedure that would have an ERJ climb out with flaps 9 through 11000 feet?
My only thought was it was bumpy down low and it was for an improved climb rate (think short field take off on steriods). |
Not that I know of. It is, unfortunately, a somewhat common mistake since there is no "auto retract" feature triggered by exceeding Vfe9.
My company revised it's after takeoff checklist several years ago requring both pilots to verbally confirm "flaps indicating zero" as part of the after takeoff checklist, usually completed within the first 3-4 thousand feet after takeoff, if not sooner. If I recall correctly, this adddition to the checklist was very effective in reducing flap overspeeds, which could result in lengthy delays due to the required maintenance inspection after they occured.
The only other time I can think of off the top of my head that the flaps would be at nine degrees for climbing would be in the GPWS terrain escape maneuver after 35 degrees pitch attitude is attained with ground contact still imminent. You didn't see any jagged peaks out the window or hear the GPWS screaming at them up there, did you?