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

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

You can also read about it in the front section of the Jeppessen Manual as well as the AERAD Publiction from the UK

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.