Vx (best angle of climb) maximizes altitude gain over horizontal distance, making it ideal for clearing obstacles immediately after takeoff.
Vy (best rate of climb) maximizes altitude gain over time, making it efficient for reaching cruising altitude once obstacles are cleared.
Pilots should utilize Vx for initial obstacle clearance before transitioning to Vy, and those uncomfortable with Vx should practice it with an instructor for safety.
Let’s imagine for a moment the following hypothetical situation: Two airplanes are taking off at exactly the same moment from parallel runways. Airplane A accelerates to and climbs out at Vx while Airplane B accelerates to and climbs at Vy.
What will happen in each case?
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