What is the normal climb speed range?

The normal climb speed range typically falls between 70 to 80 knots for many small general aviation aircraft. This range is chosen for several reasons. Firstly, it allows pilots to achieve and safely maintain a positive rate of climb while ensuring control of the aircraft during the most critical phase of flight, which is the departure.

Climbing at this speed helps to optimize the aircraft's performance, striking a balance between drag and lift. Within this range, the aircraft can attain a good climb rate while minimizing the risk of stalling, which is crucial during the climb-out procedure, especially when operating in close proximity to obstacles and other traffic. Various aircraft performance charts and pilots’ operating handbooks specify climb speeds that fall into this range, making it a standard approach across different types of light aircraft.

While other choices provide speeds that may seem plausible, they generally do not align with the manufacturer’s recommended climb speeds for most aircraft in typical operating conditions. This helps reinforce the importance of adhering to prescribed speeds for safe and efficient flight operations.