Definition
The airspeed at which an aircraft gains the greatest amount of altitude in the shortest horizontal distance. It produces the steepest climb path relative to the ground, but not the fastest gain in altitude per unit of time.
Plain English
The speed that lets you gain the most height over the shortest distance along the ground. You climb steeply, which is useful when you need to clear something close by, like trees or a building near the end of the runway.
Context Anchor
Seen in takeoff and climb discussions, especially when the runway is short or an obstacle must be cleared after liftoff.
Derivation
“Angle” comes from older words meaning a corner or bend. Here it points to the steepness of the airplane’s climb path over the ground, not simply how high the nose looks. “Best” means the speed that gives the best result for that specific purpose: altitude gained per distance traveled.
Why Pilots Care
Allows safe clearance of obstacles during takeoff from short runways or in terrain-rich environments.
Grounding Statement
Picture climbing away from a short runway with trees ahead: this is the speed that gives the most height before reaching the trees.
Intuition Check
Do not read “best” as “best for every climb.” It means best for gaining height over distance; it is not the same as the speed for gaining height in the least time.
Example Sentence 1
After lifting off from the short strip, she held best angle-of-climb speed until the trees at the departure end were safely below.
Example Sentence 2
The aircraft flight manual lists best angle-of-climb speed as 62 knots at sea level with flaps up.