Speed vs Angle

[hitech]

Depends on the plane Dale. As an example (IIRC)...
The F-101 had higher thrust to weight, but the low drag of the F-104 let it accelerate in level flight then zoom climb in steps. The net effect was that the 104 got to altitude quicker. But I think this was the exception, and not the rule for most planes.

With jets HP increase with speed.

[Cthulhu]

With jets HP increase with speed.

For a given altitude, yes. My point was that the most efficient climb profile can vary from plane to plane. What works best for say, Streak Eagle, would be ridiculous for the U-2. (Though I'd pay cash money to see a U-2 do an immelman right after wheels up    )

[BBP]

OMG! I have been wrestling with this topic the last three or four days myself. I got so tired up Climbing, Climbing and Climbing and guess what?  Only half way there! lol Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! 
So I tried going top speed at SL to destination and then nose up. It is sooooooooooooooooooooooo much quicker! And if you try it in 2 steps or 2 levels you can control your plane much better at arrival destination.
Also if you try different planes you might be surprised at which ones actually perform better.

Good Luck Everyone

KIMO!

[bozon]

OMG! I have been wrestling with this topic the last three or four days myself. I got so tired up Climbing, Climbing and Climbing and guess what?  Only half way there! lol Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  
So I tried going top speed at SL to destination and then nose up. It is sooooooooooooooooooooooo much quicker! And if you try it in 2 steps or 2 levels you can control your plane much better at arrival destination.
Also if you try different planes you might be surprised at which ones actually perform better.

If the distance is long enough, it is clearly more efficient to climb first and then accelerate to top speed. This is because you max level speed is higher at 10k than at sea level, often by quite a margin.

The problem with zooming to 10k is that you arrive there with no speed and therefore a sitting duck in combat. Between arriving low and fast or high and slow (same total energy) I'd take low and fast any day any plane. The most efficient profile for medium/short distances is to climb first then 0-G dive to a combat speed before entering combat.

[Cthulhu]

Accelerating to top speed @ SL, then zoom climbing to altitude is silly for aircraft of this period (with the notable exception of low drag, low P/W aircraft like the 262). The bulk of your energy expenditure (power) is consumed by drag at high speed. It's far more efficient to climb @ low speed, building as much potential energy (altitude) as you can. But like Bozon says, you need to guarantee that you have sufficient speed when you enter the combat area. I find it useful to climb to say, 2/3 of the desired alt, then establish a shallow, high speed climb going into the fight. You're still building energy,  and you're not a slow sitting duck.

[BaldEagl]

Always climb first if possible.  It provides the greatest amount of E (all potential) in the shortest amount of time and is the most efficient use of fuel.

If enemy are in the area retain enough speed to get whatever you're flying over the top of a loop (in case you need to) and put everything else into your climb.

Maximize climb rate until you reach the point at which you can nose down and achieve maximum dive rate for your plane.  Now you can choose between speed and climb as you've already maximized potential energy.

As they say... grab alt.

[projoe]

alt = life
shift x is your friend
or if target alt is 10k...climb to 13k..go lvl for a few seconds then nose dwn to 10k!