During a climb transition from 1000 fpm to 2000 fpm while maintaining pitch, the vertical component of lift

• A. Decreases
• B. Increases
• C. Remains constant
• D. Fluctuates

Answer: (A)

Holding the pitch constant while you transition to a higher climb rate changes the flight path angle. Lift acts roughly perpendicular to the wings, and its vertical component is the portion that points upward against gravity. As the climb becomes steeper, the lift vector tilts more toward the airplane’s nose and away from the vertical, so the projection of lift onto the vertical axis decreases. In other words, the vertical component of lift diminishes during a transition from 1000 fpm to 2000 fpm while the pitch stays the same.