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Climb Performance

Introduction:

  • Climb performance is a measure of excess thrust which generally increases lift to overcome other forces such as weight, and drag
    • This is true for most aircraft although some high performance aircraft can function like rockets for a limited time, utilizing thrust to lift away from the earth vertically, with no lift required
  • Excess power or thrust, terms that are incorrectly used interchangeably, allow for an aircraft to climb

Power vs. Thrust:

  • Power and thrust are not the same, despite their use as such
  • Power is a measure of output from the engine while thrust is the force that actually moves the aircraft
    • In a piston aircraft, power is converted to thrust through the propeller
    • In a jet aircraft, the engine produces thrust directly from the engine
  • When you are moving the throttle controls inside of the aircraft, you're controlling the engine and that is why they are referred to as power levers
  • Therefore the best angle of climb (produces the best climb performance with relation to distance, occurs where the maximum thrust is available
  • The best rate occurs where the maximum power is available)

Climbs:

  • Ultimately, it is because of excess thrust that an aircraft climbs
  • For the purpose of initial climb however, we are concerned with our aircraft's performance in order to get away from the ground
  • We typically refer to best angle and best rate of climb

  • Best Angle-of-Climb:

    • Max excess thrust results in the best angle of climb
    • Occurs at L/Dmax for a jet
    • Occurs below L/Dmax for a prop

  • Best Rate-of-Climb:

    • Best rate of climb, or Vy, maximizes velocity to obtain the greatest gain in altitude over a given period of time
    • Vy is normally used during climb, after all obstacles have been cleared
    • It is the point where the largest power is available
    • Occurs above L/Dmax for a jet
    • Occurs at L/Dmax for a prop

Best Rate vs. Angle of Climb:

  • Certain conditions will call for a specific climb profile (Vy or Vx)
  • Advantages of Vy:
    • More visibility over the cowling
    • Faster time to climb
    • Increased airflow over the engine while at high power
    • More of a buffer from stall speeds
Airplane Flying Handbook, Best angle of climb verses best rate of climb
Figure 1: Airplane Flying Handbook
Best angle of climb verses best rate of climb

Factors Impacting Climb Performance:

  • There are several factors which can impact climb performance:

    • Aircraft Weight

      • One of the most basic considerations with regard to aircraft performance is weight, as it is a principle of flight
      • The higher the weight of an aircraft, the more lift will be required to counteract

    • Temperature:

      • Ambient air temperatures impacts your aircraft performance based on their physical properties
      • Engines don't like to run hot and if they do then reduced throttle settings may be required
      • Temperature is also a leading factor in determining the effect of air density on climb performance

    • Air Density:

      • Air density, and more specifically, density altitude, is the altitude which the aircraft "thinks" it is at
      • Performance does not depend on the physical altitude, but rather the density altitude, and the higher the temperature, the higher that altitude

    • Winds:

      • Headwinds increase performance by allowing wind flow over the wings without any forward motion of the aircraft
      • Tailwinds do the opposite

    • Aircraft Condition:

      • Smooth, parasite free wings produce the best lift
      • Anything to interrupt the smooth flow of air or increase drag will require additional forward movement, or thrust, to overcome

Conclusion:

  • Climb performance is governed by FAR Part 23, depending on aircraft weight

References: