Originally Posted by
SmoothOnTop
"because we're supposed to be flying at least 500 feet per minute, or we have to report this to atc."
This one ALWAYS cracks me up, do you need to report it to ATC if you are not climbing at 500 FPM, OR UNABLE to climb at 500 fpm? Big difference, especially if you may need to level out temporarily to gain energy.
Reference 5-3-3;
http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraff...5/aim0503.html
Would it be nice to let ATC know that you are not climbing at at least 500 fpm for a short period of time? Sure, is it mandatory, read the paragraph.