What is the difference between climb angle and climb gradient?

The correct assertion regarding the difference between climb angle and climb gradient is that the climb gradient is expressed as a ratio or percentage, while the climb angle is simply the angle itself, measured in degrees. Climb gradient represents the vertical distance gained over a horizontal distance covered, often expressed as feet per nautical mile (or a percentage), which indicates how steeply an aircraft is climbing relative to its forward motion.

In this context, the claim that the value of the gradient is always higher than the value of the angle might confuse the terms but highlights that the numerical representation of climb gradient often conveys steeper climbs than what the angle alone would suggest in absolute degrees.

Understanding that climb gradient indicates performance in terms of distance and efficiency can clarify operational limits and safety margins during climb phases, especially during variable conditions like wind or load factors, which do not directly influence the angle itself.

It's important to recognize that while the angle gives direct angular information, the gradient provides a practical performance metric relevant during flight operations, which accounts for various factors but is not solely dependent on mass or specific wind conditions.