Narrative:

Departing memphis for kdca in foreign large transport aircraft level at 12000 ft. Given clearance to FL230. I read back the altitude, but the PF did not leave 12000 ft until 3-4 mins later when queried by center. Considerations: 'ACARS' was not installed on this aircraft which prompted a call to company frequency for 'departure times.' this diverted my attention to assure the PF set the proper altitude and initiated climb promptly. Another consideration was PF's inexperience in the large transport. Corrective action: make sure proper input to flight guidance and be extra vigilant when ACARS is inoperative on 2 pilot crew.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DELAYED ADHERENCE TO ATC CLRNC.

Narrative: DEPARTING MEMPHIS FOR KDCA IN FOREIGN LGT ACFT LEVEL AT 12000 FT. GIVEN CLRNC TO FL230. I READ BACK THE ALT, BUT THE PF DID NOT LEAVE 12000 FT UNTIL 3-4 MINS LATER WHEN QUERIED BY CTR. CONSIDERATIONS: 'ACARS' WAS NOT INSTALLED ON THIS ACFT WHICH PROMPTED A CALL TO COMPANY FREQ FOR 'DEP TIMES.' THIS DIVERTED MY ATTN TO ASSURE THE PF SET THE PROPER ALT AND INITIATED CLB PROMPTLY. ANOTHER CONSIDERATION WAS PF'S INEXPERIENCE IN THE LGT. CORRECTIVE ACTION: MAKE SURE PROPER INPUT TO FLT GUIDANCE AND BE EXTRA VIGILANT WHEN ACARS IS INOP ON 2 PLT CREW.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.