Embraer Legacy 450/500
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Company Policy; Aircraft
A ferry permit was prepared for a flight with the landing gear to be left extended for the entire flight due to an abnormal gear write up the day prior. Performance numbers were provided by the aircraft manufacturer which indicated to me that the aircraft could climb sufficiently and safely with two engines; however in the event of an engine failure the aircraft could not achieve obstacle clearance or even pattern altitude as the airport was at a high elevation in mountainous terrain. The only explanation given by the Chief Pilot was that 'the landing gear could be retracted in the event of an emergency.' This seemed contradictory to the entire nature of the maintenance discrepancy. No performance data was given at all in the event of a missed approach or balked landing with the landing gear extended at destination either. Pilots are not trained for such ferry flights nor could anybody in management or dispatch positions explain the data. The company is putting aircraft and crews in uncertain flight regimes and pressuring crews based on a ferry permit sign off. I have no idea weather or not the FAA was aware of performance issues associated with the flight when they issued the permit. More info needs to be given to pilots for such flights.
EMB505 Captain questions the advisability of a gear down ferry from a high altitude airport due to performance considerations.