Definition
A certification climb performance requirement for multi-engine airplanes, demonstrating the climb gradient achievable in the approach configuration with one engine inoperative, the operating engine(s) at takeoff power, landing gear retracted, and flaps in the approach (not full landing) position. It establishes the airplane's ability to discontinue an approach and climb away safely if a go-around becomes necessary with an engine failure.
Plain English
It's the climb performance the airplane must be able to achieve while set up for an approach but with one engine out, so the manufacturer can prove the airplane can still climb away if the pilot decides to go around.
Context Anchor
Seen in landing performance, aircraft certification, and go-around or missed-approach discussions.
Derivation
‘Approach’ here means the descent and configuration used to land. ‘Climb’ means the upward flight path. Together the term describes a climb performed from the approach configuration — i.e., what the airplane can do if it has to abandon the approach and climb back up.
Why Pilots Care
It determines whether the airplane can safely climb away from the runway if an engine fails during a missed approach, directly affecting landing weight limits and runway requirements.
Grounding Statement
Picture being on final approach, deciding not to land, adding power, and needing the airplane to climb away instead of continuing down to the runway.
Intuition Check
Approach climb does not mean climbing while you continue toward the runway. It means the climb capability after an approach is abandoned and the airplane starts away from the landing.
Example Sentence 1
At today's temperature and pressure altitude, the approach climb requirement limited our maximum landing weight more than the runway length did.
Example Sentence 2
With one engine secured, the airplane maintained the published approach climb speed during the missed approach.