2StgTurbine

I am trying to create an operational briefing discussing climb profiles at my company. The aircraft I am flying has a wide range of climb profiles. Both time and fuel can be saved when the correct one is selected. Lots of times, the structure of the arrivals and departures plays into this.

For example, when departing EWR via ELVAE-COL-WHITE, Departure is going to keep you at 6,000 ft until you are close to COL. Only then will they climb you. In that case, climbing at 250 KIAS is best since you will get to COL faster. There are other times like when departing PWM where Center can give you short cuts, so you are better off getting up to altitude quicker then you are by covering distance.

I know lots of this depends on the particular airplane, winds, and traffic, but since regional pilots often have a lot of experience dealing with the same airports and get to know what ATC wants, I thought I would post this question here.

So generally, what paces is it more beneficial to cover distance and what places is it more beneficial to gain altitude?

Fleron270

Probably varies but in general flying faster in a headwind, spending more time at a lower altitude and vice versa for tailwind (slow speed, get up in the stronger winds more quickly) is more efficient.

Gjn290

At my airline, climb speed is 210 knots until 30 degrees of on course. Once reaching 30 degrees we begin to accelerate to 250 knots below 10,000 and 290 above 10,000. I get what your saying regarding climb rate vs distance covered, but we fly to so many different airports it's hard to remember who gives shortcuts based on different criteria.

lakehouse

At envoy 95% of pilots don't give a flying duck after years of extreme abuse.

2StgTurbine

I'm not talking about specific climb profiles. I am talking about specific locations where ATC requirements have a greater impact than winds.

2StgTurbine

Even the most jaded pilot should be motivated to get to the long downtown overnight, how to make up time to prevent an already short overnight from becoming shorter, and more important, finish the last flight of a 4 day early so you you can make an impossible connection home.

idlethrust

Who gives a freak?? I get up as high as I can as fast as I can.I don't give a rats turd about trying to worry about that or saving them a few pennies on fuel.F#$k the profiles,I do what I want as long as its legal.Fly the plane,have fun,F the company and don't worry about it.

iFlyRC

At Mesa, we let a central server calculate our climb speed based on weight, winds, and length of flight, among other things. Most of the time we cruise around .79, and as high as possible.

24Whiskey

Only 310? VMO+5 to the flight levels or bust.

lakehouse

We don't stay downtown 96% of overnights. We do play the game in places like ny because we are adults and not aholez however we don't go home and post about how great we are for doing the right thing. Outside that most envoy guys and gals seriously dgaf.