4.8. Climbs.

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4.8.1. Objective. Establish the aircraft in a climb as required by local directives or published departure.

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4.8.2. Description.

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4.8.2.1. Airspeed – IAW T.O. 1T-6A-1 and local directives.

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4.8.2.2. Power – As required, normally MAX.

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4.8.2.3. Pitch – As required to fly desired airspeed (normally 10-15 degrees).

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4.8.2.4. FCP visual reference – engine exhaust stacks on the horizon provide approximately 12 degrees nose high for a 160 KIAS climb.

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4.8.3. Procedures.

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4.8.3.1. Airspeeds and Pitch. On climbout, pilots should use aircraft pitch to maintain climbout airspeed. Airspeeds below 160 KIAS are permitted by the flight manual but not normally recommended due to high-pitch attitudes that limit forward visibility and may induce spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Pilots are not required to make a significant pitch change to achieve standard climb speeds when conducting intermediate/small altitude changes (approximately 1,000-2,000 feet) as this normally leads to an abrupt level off. As altitude increases during the climb, pitch will need to decrease to maintain a constant climb airspeed.

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4.8.3.2. Straight Climb from Level Flight. To execute a climb from straight and level flight, advance the PCL and allow the aircraft pitch to increase. If above the desired climb speed, initially set the pitch to achieve the desired airspeed. Approaching the desired airspeed, lower the nose to keep airspeed constant as altitude increases. Make all pitch changes using outside references when available. Maintain heading and wings-level attitude by using outside references cross-checked with the attitude indicator and EHSI. Trim after power is set and the climb attitude is established. Trimming is a continuous process throughout the climb and level off. A climb attitude of 12.5 degrees nose high results in a climb gradient of approximately 1,000 feet per nautical mile (NM) (or what is referred to as a 1:1 ratio). This climb gradient is determined by using the formula that 1 degree is equal to 100 feet per NM. Level flight for 160 KIAS is about 2-3 degrees nose high. Therefore, a pitch attitude of 12.5 degrees is about 10 degrees above level flight resulting in 1,000 feet per NM climb rate.

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4.8.3.3. Climbing Turns. If standard bank angles are not required to comply with published routings, pilots can use shallow-banked turns to maintain a higher rate of climb. Trim used in the turn must be taken out during the rollout.

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4.8.3.4. Level off. Pilots should start the level off at a lead point that allows a smooth transition to the desired level-off altitude. When able, follow the techniques in the AFMAN 11-202V3. The standard method to achieve a smooth level off is to use a lead point that is approximately 10 percent of the VSI. For example, if climbing at a rate of 2,000 feet per minute (fpm), start the level off 200 feet below the desired altitude. At the lead point, smoothly lower the aircraft’s nose to level flight. The PCL should be left at the climb power setting to allow the aircraft to accelerate to the desired speed. Adjust the PCL to obtain and maintain the desired airspeed and trim the aircraft.

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4.8.3.5. Climb and Operation Checks. Initiate the climb check passing 10,000 feet MSL IAW T.O. 1T-6A-1. Conduct Operations Checks (ops checks) at initial level-off and periodically throughout the flight IAW T.O. 1T-6A-1.

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4.8.3.5.1. Technique. Perform an ops check approximately every 15 minutes.

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4.8.3.5.2. Using the stopwatch feature of the clock or accomplishing a check on the quarter hour (e.g., 1415, 1430, 1445, etc.) can help ensure checks are accomplished in a timely manner.

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