Minimum climb gradient?
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Join Date: Sep 2000
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Minimum climb gradient?
Question from a tech exam asks what is the minimum climb gradient on a SID?
I know some with terrain or airspace restrictions have minimum gradient printed on the chart but if not, is there a standard minimum gradient? and where would you find the reference?
many thanks
I know some with terrain or airspace restrictions have minimum gradient printed on the chart but if not, is there a standard minimum gradient? and where would you find the reference?
many thanks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
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FatFlyer,
The MINIMUM Climb Gradient is 3.3% (2.0°). If a greater gradient is required, it will be published on the SID.
You'll find the reference in PANS-OPS, I'm away from home base at the moment without my reference library so can't pass on the reference, sorry.
Regards,
Old Smokey
The MINIMUM Climb Gradient is 3.3% (2.0°). If a greater gradient is required, it will be published on the SID.
You'll find the reference in PANS-OPS, I'm away from home base at the moment without my reference library so can't pass on the reference, sorry.
Regards,
Old Smokey
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Jeppesen SIDs are designed with a "Procedural Design Gradient" consisting of 2.5% of "Obstacle Identification Surface" plus 0.8% of "Increasing Obstacle Clearance" = 3.3%.
If no obstacles are a factor with this 3.3%, that is your SID minimum climb gradient. However, if obstacles require a gradient in excess of this, then additional required gradient information will be published on the SID chart itself - usually in a statement of words format & a table. For example, you may see something like "Runway 18: 3.5% required" or "Runway 09 - 630 ft per nm required" and a table giving the required rate of climb vs groundspeed.
As i mentioned, you only see this information whenever an excess of 3.3% is required; if you don't see anything on the chart, then 3.3% is your minimum climb gradient.
If no obstacles are a factor with this 3.3%, that is your SID minimum climb gradient. However, if obstacles require a gradient in excess of this, then additional required gradient information will be published on the SID chart itself - usually in a statement of words format & a table. For example, you may see something like "Runway 18: 3.5% required" or "Runway 09 - 630 ft per nm required" and a table giving the required rate of climb vs groundspeed.
As i mentioned, you only see this information whenever an excess of 3.3% is required; if you don't see anything on the chart, then 3.3% is your minimum climb gradient.