Rate of climb
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In aerodynamics, the rate of climb is the speed at which an aircraft increases its altitude. In the United States, this is most often expressed in feet per minute and can be abbreviated to ft/min. Elsewhere, it is commonly expressed in metres per minute, abbreviated as m/min.
The rate of decrease in altitude is referred to as the rate of descent.
There are two traditional airspeeds for most aircraft relating to rates of ascent, referred to as Vx and Vy.
Vx refers to the "best angle of climb speed," which is usually less than Vy, the "best rate of climb speed." The difference between these speeds relating to the rate of climb lie in the climb objective.
Climbing at Vx will allow a pilot to maximize the vertical speed per unit ground distance. That is, Vx will allow you to maximize your climb while sacrificing the least amount of ground distance.
Climbing at Vy will allow a pilot to maximize the vertical speed per unit time. That is, Vy, will allow you to maximize your climb while sacrificing the least amount of time.
The indicated airspeeds of Vx increases with altitude and Vy decreases with altitude, indicating that Vx = Vy at a certain aiplane's absolute ceiling.
The rate of climb record for pilot aircraft is held by the Sukhoi Su-27 at 325 m/s (64,000 ft/min).
