B737 Initial Climb

B737 SOP chapter 6, Initial Climb, Noise Abatement & Terrain. By the end of this chapter you can explain the positive-rate and clean-up sequence, the two NADP profiles and the difference between SID and engine-failure terrain planning.

• 4 pages
• 42 min of reading
• 12 question chapter check
• Notes, highlights and progress saved

What this chapter covers

1. 1
   The first seconds airborneWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure
   9 min read
2. 2
   Accelerate, then retract flapsWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure
   10 min read
3. 3
   Noise abatement: two climb profilesWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure
   12 min read
4. 4
   Terrain-aware climb-outWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure
   11 min read

737 initial climb terms

Positive rate, gear up

The PM confirms a climb on the vertical speed and altimeter, then the PF calls gear up.

400 ft rule

In the certified takeoff path no configuration change except gear retraction is made below 400 ft.

Thrust reduction height

Where takeoff thrust is reduced to climb thrust, set by the operator or noise procedure.

Acceleration altitude

Where the nose is lowered, speed builds and flap retraction begins. Never below 400 ft.

Flap retraction schedule

Flaps come up in stages as speed reaches the minimum manoeuvring speed for the next setting.

After takeoff checklist

Completed once the aircraft is clean and workload allows, not rushed at low height.

NADP 1

Close-in noise relief: takeoff flap kept to 3,000 ft with thrust reduced at 800 ft.

NADP 2

Distant noise relief: acceleration and flap retraction start at 800 ft.

SID climb gradient

A minimum 3.3 percent procedure design gradient by default, unless a higher one is published.

Engine failure procedure

The operator's own departure path for an engine failure, which may differ from the SID.

Net takeoff flight path

The gross climb path reduced by 0.8 percent for a twin, which must clear obstacles by 35 ft.

Try a question from this chapter

737 initial climb questions