Definition
A climb performed at a specific, unchanging vertical speed, expressed in feet per minute (fpm) and flown by reference to the vertical speed indicator (VSI) while maintaining a constant airspeed and heading. The pilot adjusts pitch attitude to hold the target rate on the VSI and adjusts power as needed to keep airspeed constant.
Plain English
A climb where you go up at a steady number of feet per minute, like 500 fpm, and hold that rate the whole way up by watching the climb-rate gauge.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying when a pilot is asked to climb smoothly while watching the flight instruments, especially during straight climbs and altitude changes.
Derivation
Constant comes from a Latin idea meaning “standing firm.” Rate means an amount measured over time. Together, constant rate means the amount of climb per minute is meant to stay steady.
Why Pilots Care
Allows precise control of altitude gain and timing during instrument departures and missed approaches.
Intuition Check
Constant does not mean the nose position, power setting, or airspeed never changes. In constant rate climbs, the thing being held steady is the rate of gaining altitude.
Example Sentence 1
ATC instructed the pilot to perform a constant rate climb at 500 feet per minute up to 8,000 feet.
Example Sentence 2
During the missed approach procedure the crew maintained constant rate climbs to ensure obstacle clearance.