Medium Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Tower was very busy with a single Controller working Ground and Tower. On initial climbout we wanted to confirm our initial altitude but had a difficult time getting in contact with ATC. While this was occurring; I missed PIC call for autothrottles; and he did not recognize that I had failed to engage them. We momentarily exceeded 250 knots below 1;000 feet; accelerating to ~290 knots. After clarifying with ATC we both noticed the speed; PIC noticed speed and made adjustments to pitch and power and then I engaged autotrottles. Flight continued normally.Recency of experience due to COVID-19; early morning fatigue may have played a role.
Corporate Captain reported a speed deviation during climbout. Captain referenced distraction while trying to communicate with a busy ATC and lack of flying contributed to the event.