Date: 202009
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Flap/Slat Control System
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Distraction; Communication Breakdown; Fatigue
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I have never set flaps incorrectly; or departed; with an incorrect flap setting. This was the First Officer's takeoff. Both he and I departed with the incorrect flap setting today. After flying 4 tough; weather legs between ZZZ and ZZZ1 the day prior; I believe we were both still tired from dealing with the thunderstorms the day before. I didn't sleep well. Earlier; we discussed some serious stressors regarding challenges of a forced commute from a mandatory displacement and we could no longer rely on securing a passenger seat to work. My First Officer is being furloughed and was very concerned about the future and our Company.  I had not been into ZZZ1 for a very long time. They had numerous taxiways closed and under construction. Initially; I thought I understood the taxi clearance; then realized I had it wrong. While doing the taxi checklist on the way out; I was preoccupied with my EFB trying to verify taxiway names. My EFB was (and remains) very slow to respond to screen manipulations. So; I was a bit frustrated looking back and forth between my device and the called checklist items. Given the glare of the sun against the flap gauge; and my difficulty reading it (I had not yet switched to sunglasses); I simply was distracted and misread the gauge. On the before takeoff checklist; I guess I simply 'saw what I expected to see.'  I have a hard time believing I missed it. Once airborne on takeoff; I directed further acceleration in the climb to account for the flap discrepancy. The flight proceeded normally without further event.What I could have done differently: I should have stopped the taxi when I could not get the EFB to respond. I should have put on my prescription sunglasses earlier. Having noted this error; I asked myself what else could I do in the future so this never happens again. Here's my personal fix (apart from being darn sure I read the gauge correctly). Since the throttle position blocks the view of the flap lever for the Captain; there is a metal ridge line just aft of the throttle quadrant. Follow that line and it takes you right to the flaps 15 position. Going forward; I know if that line doesn't carry into the flap handle; I am not at flaps 15.Other thoughts: Why not add physically touching the flap handle and looking at it to confirm its position in addition to current practice. I will do this myself. I think it's easier to see than the MCDU or gauge.  Since FOQUA monitoring captures errors; is it possible to program this system to alert the pilots when the flap setting disagrees with the programed takeoff data?




Synopsis: Air Carrier Captain reported setting and taking off with an incorrect flap position.