VNAV may be engaged any time above what altitude after takeoff?

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Multiple Choice

VNAV may be engaged any time above what altitude after takeoff?

Engage VNAV after takeoff once you’re in a stable, clean climb and clear of the most critical transition from takeoff to the climb. The minimum altitude for enabling VNAV is 1000 feet above field elevation. At this point you’ve completed the initial climb phase, flap retraction, and airspeed/configuration checks, and the automation can safely manage the vertical profile without fighting against the immediate takeoff demands. Choosing this threshold helps ensure obstacle clearance and a predictable handoff from pilot-controlled takeoff actions to the FMC-driven climb. Engaging earlier can lead to conflicts between the climb guidance and manual control needs, while going much higher than necessary delays the benefits of automation. The other altitudes don’t provide the same balance of safety margin and efficient automation timing.

Engage VNAV after takeoff once you’re in a stable, clean climb and clear of the most critical transition from takeoff to the climb. The minimum altitude for enabling VNAV is 1000 feet above field elevation. At this point you’ve completed the initial climb phase, flap retraction, and airspeed/configuration checks, and the automation can safely manage the vertical profile without fighting against the immediate takeoff demands.

Choosing this threshold helps ensure obstacle clearance and a predictable handoff from pilot-controlled takeoff actions to the FMC-driven climb. Engaging earlier can lead to conflicts between the climb guidance and manual control needs, while going much higher than necessary delays the benefits of automation. The other altitudes don’t provide the same balance of safety margin and efficient automation timing.

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