Climb operation[edit]

A climb is carried out by increasing the lift of airfoils (wings) supporting the aircraft
until their lifting force exceeds the weight of the aircraft. Once this occurs the aircraft
will climb to a higher altitude until the lifting force and weight are again in balance. !he
increase in lift may be accomplished by increasing the angle of attac" of the wings by
increasing the thrust of the engines to increase speed (thereby increasing lift) by
increasing the surface area or shape of the wing to produce greater lift or by some
combination of these techni#ues. $n most cases engine thrust and angle of attac" are
simultaneously increased to produce a climb.
%ecause lift diminishes with decreasing air density a climb once initiated will end by
itself when the diminishing lift with increasing altitude drops to a point that e#uals the
weight of the aircraft. At that point the aircraft will return to le&el flight at a constant
altitude.
'owe&er during a constant rate climb at a reasonably steady angle the lift force is
generally less than the weight with the engine operating. !his is due to the upward
fraction of the thrust &ector. !his in turn causes the load factor to be slightly less than (. $t
is only during the radial (constant increase in pitch) or &ertical acceleration that the lift
&ector is larger than the weight &ector.
Climb phase[edit]

An )nter Air
%oeing *+*
climbing
!he climb phase also
"nown as climb out
of a typical flight of an aircraft is the period during which the aircraft climbs to a
predetermined cruising altitude after ta"e,off. -epending on the aircraft the altitudes
in&ol&ed and other factors this phase may last from a minute or two to half an hour or
more. !he climb phase immediately follows ta"e,off and precedes the cruise phase of the
flight. Although a single climb phase is typical multiple climb phases may alternate with
cruise phases particularly for &ery long flights in which altitude is increased as the
weight of fuel aboard decreases (see step climb).
-uring long climbs the angle or rate of climb is often reduced. !his slows the speed of
ascent but increases the speed of forward progress towards the destination. A gradual
climb impro&es forward &isibility o&er the nose of the aircraft and decreases wear and
tear on engines that rely on air cooling.
$f an aircraft exceeds its critical angle of attac" in a climb or otherwise the wings may
stall.
Aircraft also climb by entering a .one of rising air but since such .ones are unpredictable
and incon&eniently located and since most are poorly adapted to passi&e climbs of this
type only gliders attempt such climbs on a regular basis. A passi&e climb combined
with an acti&e climb can produce a higher climb rate than either method alone.
!he opposite of a climb is a descent.