Rate of climb

Rate of climb - flight technical characteristic of an aircraft, determining its maneuverability in a vertical plane ^[1] ; expressed in the speed capabilities of the aircraft when it gains altitude in flight and is measured in meters per second (in countries with a foot altitude calculation system - in feet per minute).

1m / s = 197ft / min

Reference books usually give the maximum rate of climb, but there are other indicators: optimal rate of climb (depending on the criterion), maximum climb angle.

The rate of climb depends on the flight configuration, the mass of the aircraft (cargo, amount of fuel) and weather conditions affecting the characteristics of the engines (pressure, temperature, humidity). At the surface of the earth, where the engines develop maximum power, the rate of climb is greatest, with increasing height it decreases and drops to zero at the theoretical ceiling (the practical ceiling , which is lower, still has a rate of climb).

The climb rate of aircraft increases with increasing speed (up to a certain limit). This is due to the fact that at low speed the plane flies with a large angle of attack , and the engine power is absorbed by air resistance due to the high frontal area. At high speed, the angle of attack approaches 0 and the aircraft develops the best aerodynamic quality . However, above the optimal speed, the rate of climb drops, since even with the best angle of attack, the aircraft body develops air resistance (growing quadratically), which absorbs engine thrust.