FAA Ground School Practice Test

After takeoff, which airspeed should the pilot use to gain the most altitude in a given period of time?

1. Vx

2. Vy

3. Va

4. Vfe

The correct answer is: Vy

The airspeed that should be used to gain the most altitude in a given period of time is Vy, which is the best rate of climb speed. At Vy, the aircraft achieves the highest altitude gain per unit of time, allowing the pilot to maximize the vertical performance during the initial climb phase after takeoff. This speed provides the optimal balance between lift and drag, ensuring that the aircraft can ascend efficiently. In contrast, Vx is the best angle of climb speed, which focuses on gaining the most altitude over the shortest horizontal distance. While this is important in scenarios where obstacle clearance is critical, it does not yield the best overall climb rate. Va is the maneuvering speed, which indicates the maximum speed at which the pilot can safely make abrupt control inputs without risking structural damage, but it does not directly relate to climb performance. Vfe represents the maximum flap extended speed, which is the highest speed at which you can use flaps safely without risking damage. This speed is not relevant to achieving maximum altitude gain during climb. By using Vy after takeoff, pilots can enhance their climb performance and ensure safer ascent in various scenarios.