Definition
A flight maneuver in which the airplane gains altitude, achieved by increasing power and/or pitch attitude so that the airplane's flight path angles upward relative to the horizon.
Plain English
Going up. The airplane is moving to a higher altitude than it was a moment ago.
Context Anchor
In eights on pylons, a pilot may use a climb to adjust the airplane’s height while maintaining the correct sight picture around the ground reference point.
Derivation
Climb comes from an old English word meaning to go upward, especially by effort. In aviation, the same basic idea applies: the aircraft is moving upward through the air and gaining height.
Why Pilots Care
Executing a proper climb ensures obstacle clearance, efficient performance, and safe separation from terrain or traffic during departures and training maneuvers.
Intuition Check
Do not think of climb as only a steep upward path. In flying, even a gentle increase in altitude is a climb if the aircraft is getting higher over time.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, the pilot established a steady climb at 80 knots toward the assigned altitude of 3,000 feet.
Example Sentence 2
During the eights on pylons practice, a gentle climb was used to regain the target altitude after a turn around the pylon.