Beech 1900
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Undershoot; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors
I was the SIC on BE-1900c departing Fairbanks. It was VMC conditions; but we picked up an IFR clearance for departure. I was the pilot monitoring (not flying) on this flight. After takeoff we climbed at a slow rate; because we were planning on cancelling IFR once out of the Fairbanks area. The tower controller at one point addressed us (to the effect of) what are you doing; we then realized we were tracking 20 degrees left of course. We cancelled IFR at that time and proceeded VFR from then on. The same Controller moments later gave us a phone number to call before we got clear of TRSA services. We called on the ground and were told that we may have been below the minimum climb gradient for an IFR departure out of Fairbanks.
BE-1900C First Officer reported departing Fairbanks and being advised by ATC that they were off course and below the minimum climb gradient.