Which climb type is referred to as the best angle of climb?

The best angle of climb, identified as Vx, is the climb type that provides the greatest altitude gain for the shortest horizontal distance traveled. This is particularly important during takeoff or when you need to clear obstacles (such as trees or buildings) shortly after departure. Vx allows an aircraft to achieve a higher altitude in the shortest amount of ground space, making it essential in situations where obstacle clearance is a critical concern.

Understanding Vx involves recognizing that it optimizes climb performance for specific scenarios, rather than focusing solely on gaining altitude over time, which is what the best rate of climb would achieve. The other types of climbs like a normal climb and steep climb serve different purposes and may not offer the same vertical clearance over distance as Vx does.