Definition
A climb flown so that the aircraft gains altitude at a fixed vertical speed, expressed in feet per minute on the vertical speed indicator (for example, 500 fpm). Pitch and power are adjusted together to hold that rate steady as airspeed and conditions change.
Plain English
A climb where you go up at a steady number of feet every minute, instead of climbing at a steady airspeed or a steady angle.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when a pilot uses the instruments to hold a planned climb rate after takeoff or while climbing to an assigned altitude.
Derivation
Constant comes from a Latin idea meaning “standing firm” or “unchanging.” Rate means an amount measured over time. Together, the term points to an unchanging amount of altitude gained each minute.
Why Pilots Care
Allows precise altitude management and consistent aircraft performance without exceeding limitations.
Intuition Check
A constant-rate climb does not mean the airplane’s airspeed, pitch, or power never changes. It means the altitude gain per minute stays steady.
Example Sentence 1
ATC instructed the pilot to maintain a constant-rate climb of 700 feet per minute until reaching 8,000 feet.
Example Sentence 2
In the missed approach procedure, a constant-rate climb kept the aircraft stable while gaining altitude.