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Principles of flight

Here you see two identical aircraft takeoff from the same place at the same time.

With VX, best climb angle, you get the best steepest climb in a given time.

With VY, best climb speed, you get the longest distance in relation to altitude in
a given time.

As can be seen, you actually also get higher, in a given time, when climbing with

VY than with VX. On the other hand, with VX you get higher over a shorter

distance, e.g. over a high obstacle.

Often a speed slightly higher than Vy is used for what we call “cruise climb”,

which stands for climb during cruise flight.

It is a more comfortable climb, where the view ahead is better, and the cooling
of the aircraft engine is better. When we have reached the desired altitude, we

transit to horizontal straight and level flight.

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5.10.3 Horizontal straight and level flight

In order to fly horizontally straight and level, the lift must match the weight of

the aircraft, and the drag must match the aircraft’s thrust.

Flight Theory PPL(A)(UL)/LAPL Henning Andersen, Midtjysk Flyveskole© 2025 512