What is the best rate of climb, VY?

What is the best rate of climb, VY?

• A. 67 knots
• B. 104 knots
• C. 95 knots
• D. 55 knots

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that best rate of climb is the airspeed that gives the greatest vertical speed, i.e., the maximum climb rate. This happens at the speed where the airplane has the most excess power after overcoming drag. If you fly too slowly, you lose altitude gain because you don’t have enough airspeed or power to climb efficiently and you inch toward stall speed. If you fly too fast, drag increases and your excess power drops, so the climb rate falls. In many light airplanes, the speed that delivers this maximum climb rate sits in the mid-60s to low-70s knots range. Here, 67 knots provides the greatest climb rate for the given aircraft configuration, weight, and power. The other speeds would yield less vertical speed because either the aircraft isn’t generating enough lift/power at low speeds or drag dominates at higher speeds, reducing the climb rate.

The main idea is that best rate of climb is the airspeed that gives the greatest vertical speed, i.e., the maximum climb rate. This happens at the speed where the airplane has the most excess power after overcoming drag. If you fly too slowly, you lose altitude gain because you don’t have enough airspeed or power to climb efficiently and you inch toward stall speed. If you fly too fast, drag increases and your excess power drops, so the climb rate falls.

In many light airplanes, the speed that delivers this maximum climb rate sits in the mid-60s to low-70s knots range. Here, 67 knots provides the greatest climb rate for the given aircraft configuration, weight, and power. The other speeds would yield less vertical speed because either the aircraft isn’t generating enough lift/power at low speeds or drag dominates at higher speeds, reducing the climb rate.