§23.65 Climb: All engines operating.

(a) Each normal, utility, and acrobatic category reciprocating engine-powered airplane of 6,000 pounds or less maximum weight must have a steady climb gradient at sea level of at least 8.3 percent for landplanes or 6.7 percent for seaplanes and amphibians with-- (1) Not more than maximum continuous power on each engine; (2) The landing gear retracted; (3) The wing flaps in the takeoff position(s); and (4) A climb speed not less than the greater of 1.1 VMC and 1.2 for multiengine airplanes and not less than 1.2 for single-engine airplanes. (b) Each normal, utility, and acrobatic category reciprocating engine-powered airplane of more than 6,000 pounds maximum weight, single-engine turbine, and multiengine turbine airplanes of 6,000 pounds or less maximum weight in the normal, utility, and acrobatic category must have a steady gradient of climb after takeoff of at least 4 percent with (1) Takeoff power on each engine; (2) The landing gear extended, except that if the landing gear can be retracted in not more than seven seconds, the test may be conducted with the gear retracted; (3) The wing flaps in the takeoff position(s); and (4) A climb speed as specified in Sec. 23.65(a)(4). -