Definition
A maneuver in which the aircraft simultaneously gains altitude and changes heading along a curved flight path. On an instrument approach or departure profile view, a turning climb is depicted by a curved line with an arrow showing the direction of turn, typically used for missed approach procedures or departure routings that require both a climb and a course change.
Plain English
Climbing and turning at the same time, instead of climbing straight ahead and then turning, or turning level and then climbing.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when a departure, training maneuver, or assigned path requires the aircraft to gain altitude while moving onto a new heading.
Why Pilots Care
Combines altitude gain and directional change in one efficient maneuver when both are required.
Intuition Check
A turning climb is not a climb followed by a turn. It means the turn and the climb are happening at the same time.
Example Sentence 1
The missed approach procedure called for a turning climb to 3,000 feet on a heading of 270.
Example Sentence 2
The profile view showed the turning climb segment from the runway to the first fix.