Date: 201404
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: L30.TRACON, NV
Aircraft: Challenger 605
Operator: Fractional
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class E L30
ATC / advisory: TRACON L30
Aircraft component: Autoflight System
Component problem: Improperly Operated; Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Fractional
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Human factors: Workload; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Company Policy; Human Factors; Manuals; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Departed Runway 1L cleared for SHEAD RNAV SID and cleared to 'climb via.'  We briefed use of the FMS and autopilot with first level off of 9;000 feet [crossing at MDDOG]. Aircraft leveled at 9;000 feet; but FLCH disarmed. We were instructed that the aircraft must be in V FLCH mode to make the prescribed level off altitudes at the proper fixes. So the Captain reengaged the FLCH button. The aircraft began a rapid and immediate climb. The Captain disengaged autopilot; after I stated that we needed to be at 9;000 feet for the next fix. After a few seconds of hesitation and orientation he began to level the aircraft. We were live with passengers so I feel he did so in a controlled manner. Meanwhile we had gained approximately 1;400 feet and ATC came on reclearing us down to 10;000 feet. They informed us of a phone number to call and the flight continued.I said 'we need to be at 9;000 at MDDOG' and made the Captain aware of his deviation after he re-engaged the FLCH button.Not sure of automation in a V FLCH climb. Upon reaching 9;000 FLCH disarmed; not expected.We need more training on use of automation in a V FLCH climb in the simulator on multiple step up altitudes; such as required on a 'climb via' clearance.


Second narrative: We briefed our plan to let the flight director with autopilot fly the departure. Briefed to engage NAV; VNAV and FLCH in order to climb via. After takeoff; we engaged NAV; VNAV & FLCH; aircraft leveled at first restricted altitude of 9;000 feet. While level I noticed that FLCH was no longer armed; I re-armed FLCH and the aircraft initiated an accelerated climb. The automation performed differently than we expected. I plan to go back to step climbing; by selecting each restricted altitude until further guidance is received about VNAV climbs.I believe more training and guidance on VNAV climbs will be beneficial and aid all crewmembers in all fleets. I think we should all fly the 'climb via' profiles in the simulator.


Synopsis: A Challenger 605 flight crew; cleared to 'climb via' the SHEAD RNAV SID off Runway 1L at LAS; failed to maintain 9;000 till passing MDDOG as required when they failed to utilize the autoflight vertical navigation modes properly.  Both airmen stressed the need for better instruction in the use of the vertical nav modes and more extensive simulator training in the proper management of those vertical navigation modes when cleared by complex RNAV terminal procedures.