What is the purpose of the best angle of climb?

The purpose of the best angle of climb is to achieve the maximum altitude in the shortest horizontal distance. This angle of climb is critical during takeoff and initial climb phases when an aircraft needs to clear obstacles or terrain directly ahead. By following the best angle of climb, the aircraft maximizes its ascent vertically relative to how far it travels forward, which is crucial for safety, especially in areas where there might be obstructions.

When focusing on climb performance, the best angle of climb provides the greatest gain in altitude over a specific horizontal distance. This is particularly important when takeoff routes have obstacles, allowing pilots to optimize their climb path and avoid hazards as quickly as possible.

To manage other aspects of flight performance, such as fuel efficiency, speed, or maintaining altitude, separate strategies and climb profiles are employed. However, none of these considerations capture the primary goal of achieving maximum altitude for minimal distance traveled, which is the essence of the best angle of climb.