Definition
A climb flown at a specific, unchanging rate of altitude gain, expressed in feet per minute on the vertical speed indicator (VSI). The pilot adjusts pitch to hold the target rate and adjusts power as needed to maintain a chosen airspeed.
Plain English
A climb where the aircraft gains height at a steady number of feet per minute, such as 500 feet every minute, all the way up to the assigned altitude.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when a pilot sets and holds a specific climb rate while watching the flight instruments.
Derivation
Constant derives from Latin constare, to stand firm or remain unchanged; rate from Latin ratus, fixed or reckoned; together they specify an ascent whose vertical speed does not vary.
Why Pilots Care
Enables predictable altitude changes for traffic separation, obstacle clearance, and compliance with ATC instructions.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane gaining the same amount of height each minute as it climbs.
Intuition Check
Constant rate does not mean the airplane’s nose position, power, or airspeed never changes. It means the feet gained per minute are being held steady.
Example Sentence 1
ATC asked for a constant rate climb of 700 feet per minute to 8,000 feet, so the pilot set pitch on the VSI and trimmed for the climb.
Example Sentence 2
During the departure, a constant rate climb was maintained until reaching the initial level-off altitude.