After takeoff, the climb checklist guides ERJ crews through a safe ascent

If you’re cruising through the SkyWest ERJ cockpit knowledge tracks, you’ve probably asked a simple but important question: what happens right after the takeoff checklist? The answer is the climb checklist. It’s not just a line on a procedure card; it’s the bridge between liftoff and clean, controlled flight in the climb phase. Let me unpack why that transition matters and how the climb checklist keeps the cockpit in harmony as the airplane begins its ascent.

Right after liftoff: why the sequence matters

Think of a flight like a carefully choreographed routine. Every step has to feed the next one, or the whole performance can go off-script. The takeoff checklist gets the airplane off the runway safely—flaps, gear, power settings, airspeed targets, and basic systems checks are all lined up before you rotate. Once you’re airborne, the airplane isn’t done with its “to-do” list. It enters the climb phase, and that’s where the crew takes a breath, confirms configuration, and makes sure performance and systems are tracking as expected through the early altitude gains.

In the ERJ world, crews rely on a clear, practiced rhythm. The takeoff checklist is a gate—once that’s closed, the climb checklist opens the doors to a clean, controlled ascent. This isn’t abstract stuff; it’s about keeping the airplane parametric: speed, altitude, and configuration moving in sync. The climb is when you verify that the aircraft is climbing properly, engines are behaving, and the airplane is prepared to transition toward cruising with confidence.

What the climb checklist covers (in plain terms)

The climb checklist is where the work shifts from getting airborne to making sure the climb is efficient and safe. Here are the main areas you’ll be monitoring, in everyday cockpit terms:

• Configurations for climb: With the aircraft at a safe initial rate of climb, you confirm that gear is up and flaps are retracted to the appropriate positions. It’s the moment you switch from the “takeoff clean” setup to a clean climb configuration.

• Speed targets and nose attitude: You verify speed is within the target range for the climb. You’ll hear cockpit calls about- or see indications for – the climb airspeed band and any necessary adjustments to pitch or thrust. This is about keeping the airplane accelerating smoothly toward cruise without overshooting or stalling.

• Power and thrust management: Autothrottle or manual power settings get a second look. The goal is steady performance without surprises. If the engines are showing any anomalies, you’re ready to respond, but for a normal climb you want clean, predictable thrust.

• Systems health: You continue to monitor the core systems—engine parameters, flight controls, hydraulics, and electrics—so nothing slips into a warning state without you noticing.

• Altitude and flight path: You plan the transition to the next leg, with the autopilot or flight director guiding the path. Altitude targets are checked, and the crew confirms the airplane is following the vertical profile as designed.

• Crew coordination and callouts: The climb phase is a team sport. Clear, concise callouts help everyone stay in the loop—the pilots confirm each step, and the other crew member validates the readbacks. CRM in action, no drama.

Why this matters for SkyWest ERJ operations

ERJ crews fly into varied weather, traffic, and airspace scenarios. The climb checklist isn’t just a box to tick; it’s a tool to keep everyone aligned during a high-energy part of the flight. When conditions shift—gusts, wind shear, or a busy climb corridor—you want the crew to be laser-focused on the plan, not scrambling for information.

This is precisely the kind of knowledge that shows up in SkyWest CQ (Cockpit Qualification) and KV (Knowledge Validation) modules. You’ll see how the sequence and the discipline of checklists underpin real-world operations: how crews manage automation, when to hand-fly, and how to transition from the initial climb to the cruising phase with a clean configuration and a stable flight path.

From takeoff to cruising: the throughline

The takeoff checklist gets you airborne with confidence. The climb checklist takes you from a successful liftoff to a controlled ascent that sets the stage for a stable cruise. After that, you move into the mid-flight work: maintaining maneuverability, planning for the turn toward the flight level, and preparing for the upcoming phases—whether you’ll settle into a long cruise or prepare to descend and land later.

It’s tempting to think of these steps as isolated, but they’re intimately connected. The exact speed you target in the climb influences engine performance and fuel burn, which in turn affects your cruise planning. The way you manage automatic flight controls in the climb can impact how smoothly you’ll later transition to the approach. In short: the climb is the hinge that connects liftoff to the rest of the flight.

A few practical notes that keep the flow natural

• Use the same rhythm every time: a steady sequence helps memory work. In the ERJ environment, crews often develop a cadence that mirrors the aircraft’s dynamics. This makes it easier to anticipate what comes next and reduces the chance of a last-second scramble.

• Watch the automation, then verify it: the climb is a good moment to confirm you’re on the right bank path, at the correct altitude, and that the auto-thrust and flight director are aligned with the plan. If automation isn’t behaving as expected, you’ve built in the habit of catching it early.

• Communicate like a teammate, not a drill sergeant: a calm, precise exchange between pilots keeps the crew confident. Short, specific calls beat long, uncertain chatter.

• Tie the cards to real-world ops: remember that environments vary. A dry day at a familiar airfield will still require the same disciplined climb mindset as a day with crosswinds and wet runways. The checklist is your anchor in either case.

Where CQ and KV fit into the picture (without turning this into a prep guide)

If you’re exploring SkyWest CQ and KV materials, you’ll notice how consistently the climb transition is framed as a core competency. It’s not just about memorizing steps; it’s about understanding why each step is there and how it keeps the airplane safe and predictable. You’ll see examples that connect theoretical concepts—likeCRM, automation management, and configuration control—with the practical flow of a real climb. The goal isn’t memorization for its own sake; it’s building mental models you can trust when the air gets busy or when something unusual happens.

A few conversational takeaways to keep in mind

• The climb checklist is the bridge, not a finale. It keeps the airplane in the right configuration while it climbs toward more advanced phases.

• In a simulation or in real life, the same logic applies: confirm the basics first, then layer on more complex tasks. The habit pays off in every phase.

• You don’t need to be flashy to be effective. Clear callouts, crisp situational awareness, and procedural discipline beat bravado every time.

Common sense tips you can actually use

• Practice the rhythm without rushing. A quick, deliberate cadence helps you catch small discrepancies before they become big problems.

• If you’re flying in a two-crew environment, use the remote-check approach: one pilot handles the configuration items while the other verifies performance and systems. It’s a natural check-and-balance.

• When in doubt, default to the known-good configuration. It’s better to hold a safe altitude moment and re-check than to push ahead and regret it later.

• Keep a light, steady tone in the cockpit. Sticky situations aren’t solved by loud voices; they’re solved by calm, precise actions.

A closing thought: the climb as a quiet enabler of safe flight

The climb phase might not grab headlines like “the perfect takeoff” or “the flawless landing,” but it’s essential. It’s where the airplane establishes its pace, pilots confirm that the systems cooperate, and the crew demonstrates disciplined teamwork. For SkyWest ERJ pilots and the crews who study CQ and KV materials, the climb checklist represents a practical lesson in consistency, safety, and professional craftsmanship.

So, when you next hear someone reference the phase after the takeoff checklist, you’ll know the answer is climb. And you’ll appreciate why that phase deserves its own careful attention. It’s the quiet moment that sets the tone for a smooth flight, from the moment you leave the runway to the moment you transition into cruise, and later, toward descent and the approach. The more you internalize that sequence—think of it as a well-rehearsed routine—the more natural flying becomes. In the end, it’s not just about checking boxes; it’s about building confidence in the cockpit, one phase at a time.