Definition
The climb segment flown after the initial departure climb has been completed, used to reach the planned cruising altitude for the flight. It is flown at the airspeed and power setting recommended by the manufacturer for efficient climb performance over distance, rather than for maximum rate or maximum angle.
Plain English
The longer, steady climb a pilot makes on the way to cruise altitude after takeoff and the first climb out of the airport area are finished.
Context Anchor
Seen in takeoff and departure procedures, especially when describing the change from the first climb after liftoff to the normal climb away from the airport.
Derivation
From the French 'en route' meaning 'on the way.' The phrase points to the part of the flight where the airplane is on its way to the destination, climbing toward cruise altitude rather than departing the airport or maneuvering near it.
Why Pilots Care
Fuel burn, time to altitude, and airspeed choices during this segment directly affect trip planning and arrival at an efficient cruise altitude.
Intuition Check
Do not read en route climb as “any climb that happens during a trip.” Here it means the normal climb after the initial takeoff climb, once nearby obstacles are no longer the main concern.
Example Sentence 1
After leveling briefly to accelerate, the pilot set climb power and pitched for the en route climb speed of 90 knots on the way to 8,500 feet.
Example Sentence 2
Performance data showed the airplane would reach cruise altitude twenty minutes into the en route climb.