Definition
The airspeed at which an aircraft is flown during the initial climb after takeoff, selected to give the best combination of climb performance, engine cooling, and safety margin above the stall.
Plain English
The speed the pilot holds just after takeoff while climbing away from the runway.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft handbooks, takeoff performance information, and departure procedures, especially when clearing obstacles after takeoff.
Derivation
“Climbout” comes from the phrase “climb out,” meaning to climb away from the ground after takeoff. In aviation, it points to the early departure phase, not just any climb later in the flight.
Why Pilots Care
Correct climbout speed ensures adequate obstacle clearance, engine cooling, and safe transition to the en-route climb.
Intuition Check
Do not read climbout speed as any speed used during any climb. It means the target speed for the first climb after takeoff, while leaving the runway area.
Example Sentence 1
After lift-off, the pilot pitched the nose to hold the published climbout speed until reaching a safe altitude.
Example Sentence 2
On a short-field takeoff the POH calls for holding climbout speed until all obstacles are cleared.