Log in

View Full Version : Minimum Climb Gradient


CessNah
14th Dec 2023, 08:29
Hi all,

I was hoping someone on this forum could help enlighten me on a question that has crossed my mind. I've attached below an SID chart from Zurich airport on the DEGES1B departure and I noted that the published minimum climb gradient is 6.1% up to 2500 feet. The next published restriction I can see is at ZH502 which is 4000 feet or above, and roughly looking at that chart I can see that point is roughly 7 miles away from the ZH520/2500 or above restriction. Assuming we cross ZH520 at 2500 feet, I've roughly calculated that the minimum required gradient would be 3.5% to ZH502 and if I recall correctly, any gradients that are more than 3.3% must be published on the chart.

Forgive my ignorence folks, it's been a while since I've last flown and I'm trying to brush up on my theoretical knowledge so if anyone would be able to enlighten me more on this subject I'd be ever so grateful. Thank you in advance!
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1650x1275/lszh_e45299ec65b206ab491b54b3aad4310e6b631380.jpg

swh
14th Dec 2023, 11:00
Note 2, the SID is also a noise abatement procedure.

CessNah
14th Dec 2023, 11:32
Another example that has me scratching my head is the BPK7F out of London Heathrow which has a published gradient of 4.0% to 4000 feet for air traffic management. I can see that there is a 4000 or above restriction based off of the 304 from the LON VOR and my very vague calculation puts that point approximately 10nm from the DER. Once again having done the calculations, I'm getting a 6.6% gradient required to actually achieve that.

I know that I am probably having another brain cloud moment, but if anyone has an explanation they could offer me I would be very grateful! Thank you in advance once again!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1275x1650/bpk7f_1224f029f59be0421c8d139361ac2ab0366b300e.jpg

STBYRUD
14th Dec 2023, 12:12
A given climb gradient on the chart may or may not relate to the crossing restrictions. In both cases they clearly do not :E

CessNah
15th Dec 2023, 02:21
A given climb gradient on the chart may or may not relate to the crossing restrictions. In both cases they clearly do not :E
I'll admit, I never knew that until today, always thought they were related! Thanks for your input, I appreciate it!