Climbout Factor Guidance
The following departure procedure and climbout guidance supplements and clarifies AFI 11202 Vol 3 and AFM 11-217. It will be followed by all 32 FTS aircrews. ORM was utilized
to determine the safest course of action for any given takeoff situation. While the OffStation Climbout Factor ORM Decision Tree will assist IPs in determining the safest course
of action, it is not a substitute for sound pilot judgment or common sense. If a situation
arises that is not addressed in this guidance, contact the 32 FTS SUP.
The following information supplements the Climbout Factor ORM Decision Tree.
Notes
1. Authorized actions to meet required COF: 1) reduced fuel load (SUP approval required if
planned fuel is less than 4000 lbs), 2) wait for temperature to decrease, 3) change runways,
4) zero-flap takeoff (if CFL is less than runway available), 5) ACM-off takeoff, and 6) use
1500’ climbout profile
2. Home airfield – In IMC or VMC, 2.5 climb gradient is required to DOH (2800’ MVA at
Vance). The reduced COF at Vance AFB is justified by the lack of obstacles/terrain and
aircrew’s familiarity with the departure airfield. NOTE: These departures have been
approved for T-37 operations at less than 152’/NM.
4. If using the 1500’ climbout profile with 10 flaps for initial takeoff or touch and goes,
crews may raise flaps at 400’ if both engines are operating normally
Climbout Factor Guidance
5. The attached ORM Decision Tree will be used when planning initial takeoffs, touch and
goes, go-arounds and missed approaches while operating at other than Vance AFB.
6. When using the single engine climb gradient “postage stamp” to determine the COF for a
required climb gradient, the correct column must be used to ensure obstacle clearance. DOH
is a valid method of ensuring obstacle clearance with no published climb gradient. DOH is
an IFR altitude (MSA or MVA) minus 1000’. If a climb gradient must be maintained above
400’ or 1500’ (e.g. up to the minimum IFR altitude), then the “greater than” column (i.e. the
right column) must be used. The “less than” column (i.e. the left column) only guarantees a
given climb gradient up to 400’ or 1500’.
Off-Station Climbout Factor ORM Decision Tree
For Initial Takeoff, Go-Arounds, Touch-n-goes, and Missed Approaches**
Can 200 ft/nm or the published climb gradient,
whichever is higher, be met one engine inoperative?
No
Yes
Continue Mission
Have all authorized actions to meet required climb gradient
been considered? (See Note 1)
Yes
No
Is there a published climb gradient?
Evaluate/apply approved actions in
(i.e. Trouble T)
Note 1 to meet required climb gradient
Yes
No
If 48 feet/NM is subtracted from published climb gradient,
can reduced gradient be achieved.
No
Yes
Can 2.5 gradient (152’/NM) be achieved
No
Yes
Discontinue mission until more
favorable conditions exist.
SUP approval required. Squadron Supervisor may approve takeoff if the following conditions are met:
- Calculated COF must provide a climb gradient equal to or
greater than published climb gradient minus 48 feet or
152’/NM to minimum IFR altitude
- VFR chart of terrain is available and crew is aware of
obstacle location
-VMC to min IFR altitude (MSA, MVA, etc)
- If IMC departure is required, the DO (or CC) must
approve the planned actions
- Crew must consider DOH, known obstacles, and planned
departure routing
** All calculated climbout factors assume one engine inoperative
Cold Weather Climbout
General Knowledge
Introduction
•
•
•
•
•
Climbout Requirements
Cold Weather
Second Segment Climb
Example Problem (Vance AFB)
Conclusion
Climbout Requirements
• IFR climbs require 200 feet/NM (3.3 %
gradient)
• VFR climbs require 152 feet/NM (2.5 %
gradient)
Cold Weather
• Icing may require use of engine anti-ice on
the ground
– If required, engine anti-ice reduces engine
performance resulting in 2.0 reduction in COF
• Icing may require use of wing and engine
anti-ice at or above 400 feet AGL.
– Degradation of climb performance is accounted
for in “Minimum Climbout Factor Required”
Charts
Second Segment Climb
• If anti-ice is required during the climb
profile, you must use the second segment
climb to determine your climbout factor that
is required.
– The second column of the postage stamp (or
climb >400 feet)
Example Problem
• Vance AFB
– Weather
•
•
•
•
•
0oC
Broken at 600 feet AGL
1 SM visibility with mist
Calm winds
Altimeter 29.92
– COF required is approximately 5.2 (+ 2.0 for
engine anti-ice reduction) = 7.2 effective COF
Charts for Example
Charts for Example
Charts for Example
152 FT/NM or 200 FT/NM –
You must use the second
segment climb to determine
your overall climb
performance.
Charts for Example
Charts for Example
Conclusion
• Pay attention to your icing requirements
– If icing requires use of anti-ice during the initial
climb to minimum IFR altitude, use the second
segment climb (or right column in the postage
stamp)
• Be aware of the NOTES associated with our
commonly used performance charts
• Climbout only gets more difficult in the
winter!!!