RandyL wrote:
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?

No, Vx will get you to a given altitude while covering the shortest
distance, but not generally in the shortest time. When climbing at a
steeper angle the plane will be going slower so even though Vx will get
you there in a shorter distance you'll get there a little quicker by
choosing a slightly shallower angle that lets you go faster, i.e. Vy.

It's similar to choosing whether to climb a mountain by either going
straight up the side in which case you may need ropes and make very
slow progress, or by hiking up the less steep switchback trail in which
case you'll have to go farther but will be able to go faster.