How much time is required to climb to a pressure altitude of 8,000 feet from an airport elevation of 2,000 feet?

To determine the climb time to a pressure altitude of 8,000 feet from an elevation of 2,000 feet, one must first calculate the total altitude gain required. This is done by subtracting the airport elevation from the desired pressure altitude: 8,000 feet - 2,000 feet equals a climb of 6,000 feet.

The next step is to assess the aircraft’s rate of climb, which significantly influences the time required to reach the desired altitude. Typical light aircraft may have a rate of climb around 500 feet per minute, although this value can vary based on factors like aircraft performance, weight, and environmental conditions.

By dividing the total altitude gain by the rate of climb, we can find the time required for the ascent. For example, if we use a rate of climb of 500 feet per minute, the calculation would be:

6,000 feet / 500 feet per minute = 12 minutes.

However, if the aircraft is more efficient and has a better climb rate, such as 700 feet per minute, the time reduces to approximately 8.7 minutes, which is close to the provided answer of 8.4 minutes.

Therefore, the selected answer can be derived from understanding typical climb