Plain English Meaning

A climb flown to gain the most height in the shortest distance forward, used when there is an obstacle ahead that must be cleared after takeoff. The pilot holds a specific slow climb speed until the obstacle is behind them, then accelerates to a normal climb speed.

Full Definition

A climb flown immediately after takeoff at the airspeed and configuration that produces the steepest gain in altitude over the shortest horizontal distance, used to clear obstacles in the departure path. It is flown at the best angle-of-climb airspeed (Vx) until the obstacle is cleared, then transitioned to the best rate-of-climb airspeed (Vy) for the of the climb.