Final answer:
The required climb gradient is the minimum rate at which an aircraft must climb after takeoff to clear obstacles. The ATC climb gradient rule governs altitude restrictions during departure to maintain a safe climb rate. An example is given to illustrate how the required climb gradient works.
Step-by-step explanation:
Required Climb Gradient
The required climb gradient is a term used in aviation to refer to the minimum rate at which an aircraft must climb after taking off or departing from a runway. It is typically expressed as a percentage or angle and is used to ensure that the aircraft can safely clear obstacles during its climb.
ATC Climb Gradient Rule
The ATC (Air Traffic Control) climb gradient rule is a regulation that governs the altitude restrictions placed on aircraft during departure. ATC assigns specific climb gradients to aircraft based on factors such as aircraft performance, runway length, and nearby obstacles. The rule ensures that aircraft maintain a safe climb rate and avoid obstacles during departure.
Example
For example, let's say an airport has a required climb gradient of 200 feet per nautical mile. If an aircraft is taking off from a runway that is 1 nautical mile long, it must reach an altitude of at least 200 feet above the runway end by the time it reaches the end of the runway. This ensures that the aircraft can clear any obstacles, such as buildings or terrain, during its climb.