When flying a Citation Jet with Pitch Mode on Autopilot, I can climb to the maximum certified ceiling without much attention to speed, or needing to change modes while ascending. It is important to understand and become aware of Pitch Mode, which is the default autopilot mode; you can simply adjust pitch angle manually with the thumb-roll, just like when adjusting FLC or Vertical Speed.
The Tamarack Active Winglet System enables me to practice this efficient and viable climbing method because it improves the aircraft’s performance so remarkably. When operating a CJ, CJ1, CJ1+ or M2, I climb at 6.5 degrees pitch all the way to FL410. In a CJ2 or CJ2+, I climb at 5.5 - 6.0 degrees to FL450. In a CJ3 or CJ3+, I will climb at 5.0 - 5.5 degrees all the way up.
When flying a CJ, I use the following technique at an approximate altitude of 37 thousand feet, when I can see the fuel flow at roughly 700 pounds per hour: There is no need to continue climbing at a high rate (like 600 fpm), so I will often allow the aircraft’s nose to drop here, and give pitch angle for 200 - 300 feet to continue the climb to altitude and accelerate to cruising speed. This process is my favorite technique to employ when flying with Tamarack Active Winglets, unless I am performing a demonstration to show-off our amazing high-rate climbs (I stay at 6.5 degrees pitch for demonstrations).
While this technique is incredibly efficient, it is certainly a hard-to-grasp concept for flat-wing pilots that are accustomed to burning off fuel in order to climb. However, The Tamarack Active Winglet System makes room for an entirely different expectation and unprecedented reality when it comes to flying Citation Jets in the smartest possible way.
