Definition
An indication that the airplane is gaining altitude, confirmed by the vertical speed indicator showing an upward value and the altimeter showing increasing altitude.
Plain English
The airplane is actually climbing — going up — and the instruments confirm it.
Context Anchor
Used during stall recovery and takeoff procedures, often before raising flaps or landing gear.
Derivation
Positive comes from the idea of being above zero. In this phrase, it does not mean “good”; it means the climb rate is greater than zero, so the airplane is gaining altitude.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the airplane has enough energy and performance to continue the maneuver safely before retracting flaps or raising the nose further.
Intuition Check
Do not read “positive” as simply meaning “good.” Here it means the airplane’s climb rate is above zero. Also, a nose-up attitude alone is not enough; the airplane must actually be gaining altitude.
Example Sentence 1
After liftoff the pilot checked the vertical speed indicator, called 'positive rate, gear up,' and retracted the landing gear.
Example Sentence 2
During the initial climb the student waited until a positive rate of climb showed on the altimeter before calling for gear retraction.