PHAK · Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance
FAA · Retrieved 2026-09-05
Educational reference; original Owl summariesPERFORMANCE
Climb & excess power
FLIGHT SCIENCE / CONCEPT REFERENCE
SCIENCEConditions & principles
Climb requires energy to increase gravitational potential as the aircraft moves.
REFERENCE COVERAGE3 / 3 editorial sections
PROVENANCE1 linked source
LAST RETRIEVED2026-09-05
Editorial section coverage describes the article structure, not scientific validation or completeness.
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Source editions
PHAK · Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance ↗Edition / snapshot: FAA-H-8083-25C, 2023Retrieved: 2026-09-05
Retrieval dates record when Owl obtained the data; they are not publication dates or proof that a specification is current. Where the edition contains only a snapshot date, the original publication date is not recorded.
01
Mechanism
Excess power after overcoming drag can increase height. Excess thrust is related to climb angle, while excess power is related to climb rate.
02
Aircraft response
Weight, drag, available thrust and atmospheric conditions all affect climb. A best-angle speed and best-rate speed need not be the same.
03
Context & interpretation
The energy balance shown assumes steady speed and a simplified thrust alignment. Acceleration consumes some of the available excess power.
Physical relationship
ROC ≈ (T − D) V / WROC: climb rate in m/s; T and D: thrust and drag in N; W: weight in N.
Sources & context
Educational explanation of physical mechanisms. Aircraft-specific procedures, limitations and current weather information are separate references.