7.12. Constant Rate Climbs and Descents.

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7.12.1. Objective. Maintain constant vertical speed during climb or descent.

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7.12.2. Description. Climb or descend at constant rate, normally at constant airspeed. Usually practiced between 110-250 KIAS and 500–4,000 fpm.

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7.12.3. Procedure. Simultaneously advance or reduce power and change pitch to effect desired climb or descent rate. When vertical speed stabilizes, adjust pitch and power to maintain target vertical speed and airspeed.

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7.12.4. Application. Initially use known pitch and power setting, then fine tune when vertical speed stabilizes. The 60-to-1 rule can be used to calculate pitch change required for target vertical speed: 1 degree of pitch change = 100 feet per NM. For example, at 240 knots true airspeed (KTAS) (4 NM/min), 2 degrees of pitch change (4 NM/min multiplied by 200 ft/NM) results in 800 fpm vertical speed. If airspeed and target vertical speed are fixed, the formula to solve for required pitch change is: VSI divided by NM per minute, divided by 100 = pitch change. For example, target vertical speed 1,000 fpm at 150 KTAS (2.5 NM/min) = 4-degree pitch change. For 1,000 fpm climbs or descents at any airspeed (i.e., Vertical S), the torque change is approximately ±20 percent from the level flight torque setting. For 500 fpm climbs or descents, the torque change is approximately ±10 percent from the level flight torque setting.

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