Definition
The default rate of climb required on an instrument departure procedure when no higher gradient is published, expressed as 200 feet of altitude gained per nautical mile of horizontal distance flown.
Plain English
Unless the chart says otherwise, you must climb at least 200 feet for every nautical mile you travel forward after takeoff on an instrument departure.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument departure procedures and in ATC departure discussions when checking whether the airplane can climb fast enough after takeoff.
Derivation
Gradient comes from the Latin gradus, meaning a step or pace. A climb gradient is literally how steeply each forward step also rises -- height gained per distance traveled. Standard here means the baseline value used by default.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the aircraft clears terrain and obstacles during the initial climb; failure to meet it may require a different procedure or higher minimums.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane crossing each nautical mile point at least 200 feet higher than it was at the last one.
Intuition Check
Standard does not mean “average” or “whatever the airplane usually climbs.” Here it means the FAA baseline: 200 feet of climb per nautical mile unless a higher requirement is published.
Example Sentence 1
Because no climb gradient was published on the departure chart, we planned for the standard climb gradient of 200 feet per nautical mile.
Example Sentence 2
If your aircraft cannot maintain the standard climb gradient with one engine inoperative, you must use an alternate takeoff minimum or procedure.