Quiz: 6 Questions To See How Much You Know About Climb Performance

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Let's see what you know!

1) You're taking off into a 20 knot headwind. This headwind will...

An increase in headwind won't affect how fast or slow you climb but how much ground you cover during your climb out. For example, an aircraft climbing at 800 FPM at Vy of 78 knots with no headwind, may have a groundspeed of 65-75 knots over the ground. Take the same scenario and add a 20-knot headwind, the aircraft is still climbing at 800 FPM, but now the groundspeed may reduce to 45-55 knots. Slower ground speed = less distance covered over time.

An increase in headwind won't affect how fast or slow you climb but how much ground you cover during your climb out. For example, an aircraft climbing at 800 FPM at Vy of 78 knots with no headwind, may have a groundspeed of 65-75 knots over the ground. Take the same scenario and add a 20-knot headwind, the aircraft is still climbing at 800 FPM, but now the groundspeed may reduce to 45-55 knots. Slower ground speed = less distance covered over time.
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2) You are taking off from a runway that has significant obstacles at the departure end. What initial airspeed would be best in this situation?

Vx, or best angle-of-climb airspeed, will give you the greatest altitude in the shortest distance. This speed is important during climb-outs over terrain and obstacles.

Vx, or best angle-of-climb airspeed, will give you the greatest altitude in the shortest distance. This speed is important during climb-outs over terrain and obstacles.
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3) In a retractable gear aircraft, retracting the landing gear during the climb is important because...

Bringing the gear up after a positive rate indication helps to quickly shed parasite drag and give you a faster rate of climb.

Bringing the gear up after a positive rate indication helps to quickly shed parasite drag and give you a faster rate of climb.
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4) Retracting flaps on the climb out...

Takeoff flaps increase your lift and allow you to rotate off the runway in a shorter distance, however, retracting them too soon can cause a loss of lift that can momentarily stop your climb. When trying to clear obstacles, retract the flaps when the highest obstacles have been cleared and are no longer a threat. Consult your aircraft's AFM for detailed procedures on obstacle departures.

Takeoff flaps increase your lift and allow you to rotate off the runway in a shorter distance, however, retracting them too soon can cause a loss of lift that can momentarily stop your climb. When trying to clear obstacles, retract the flaps when the highest obstacles have been cleared and are no longer a threat. Consult your aircraft's AFM for detailed procedures on obstacle departures.
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5) At high-density altitude airports...

At high-density altitude airports, true airspeed will always be faster than indicated. Vy, stays the same regardless of density altitude. However, the actual true airspeed values differ at higher elevations / warmer temperatures.

At high-density altitude airports, true airspeed will always be faster than indicated. Vy, stays the same regardless of density altitude. However, the actual true airspeed values differ at higher elevations / warmer temperatures.
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6) How does aircraft weight affect climb performance?

As weight increases, so does the amount of lift that needs to be produced. This is done by increasing the angle of attack, and as a result, the aircraft produces more induced drag from the wings and overall parasite drag on the aircraft. You're limited by the amount of power your engine can provide. If you have excess power, you can overcome the extra drag and achieve the same climb rate you'd experience at a lower weight. But in most situations, this isn't the case, so your climb rate will be compromised.

As weight increases, so does the amount of lift that needs to be produced. This is done by increasing the angle of attack, and as a result, the aircraft produces more induced drag from the wings and overall parasite drag on the aircraft. You're limited by the amount of power your engine can provide. If you have excess power, you can overcome the extra drag and achieve the same climb rate you'd experience at a lower weight. But in most situations, this isn't the case, so your climb rate will be compromised.
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