"RandyL" wrote in message
...
Here is something that I have always wondered about, but have yet to
hear a good explanation for. Vx is the best angle of climb speed for an
aircraft. Vy is the best rate of climb for an aircraft. I can't seem to
visualize why Vx is not the best rate of climb. To my feeble way of
thinking, Vx - the best climb angle - gets you to the highest altitude in
the shortest period of time, no? Why is that not the best rate of climb? I
hope someone can enlighten me on this. I know that there must be a good
explanation, but as I said, I just can't visualize it. Thanks...


How's this:

I can get up a flight of stairs in around three seconds (best rate of
climb). It will probably take me 20 seconds to climb a ladder the same
height (I hate ladders). The ladder will get me up at a much steeper angle,
hence best angle of climb. The stairs will get me there faster, hence best
rate of climb.