Definition
The airspeed at which an airplane is flown during a sustained climb after liftoff, selected to give a desired combination of climb performance, engine cooling, forward visibility, and safety margin above stall. Specific published climb speeds include Vy (best rate of climb, the speed that gains the most altitude per unit of time) and Vx (best angle of climb, the speed that gains the most altitude per unit of horizontal distance).
Plain English
The speed the pilot holds the airplane at while climbing after takeoff. Different climb speeds are used depending on whether the pilot wants to gain altitude quickly, clear an obstacle, or simply climb comfortably while the engine stays cool.
Context Anchor
Used during takeoff and departure, especially after liftoff when the pilot sets the airplane at the proper speed for the climb.
Why Pilots Care
Proper climb speed gives the best chance of clearing obstacles and avoids the low-speed, high-drag region that can cause the airplane to sink.
Intuition Check
Climb speed does not mean any speed while the airplane happens to be going upward. It means the specific speed the pilot is trying to hold for a safe, intended climb.
Example Sentence 1
After liftoff, the pilot pitched for the published climb speed and held it steady through the initial climb.
Example Sentence 2
In a short-field takeoff the pilot holds Vx until obstacles are cleared, then accelerates to the normal climb speed.