Upon reaching 8,500 feet MSL, what would be the distance and time from departure?

To determine the distance and time from departure when an aircraft reaches 8,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), it is essential to consider the aircraft's ascent rate and corresponding distance travelled during the climb.

In typical navigation and flight planning, when an aircraft climbs, it may follow a standard ascent profile. During this ascent, pilots can use a ratio of altitude gained to distance traveled to estimate how far they are from their departure point. The climb rate is usually around 1,000 feet per minute or could vary based on the aircraft performance characteristics and other variables.

At an altitude of 8,500 feet, if we assume a common rate of climb and speed for a general aviation aircraft, one can utilize these values to calculate the distance. The figure of 23 nautical miles paired with a time of 1,044 seconds indicates an appropriate combination based on realistic climb profiles. The time of 1,044 seconds converts to about 17 minutes, which aligns with the time it might take to reach 8,500 feet given typical safe climbing speeds and profiles.

Choosing this option highlights an understanding of both the relationship between altitude, distance, and time during a flight's ascent, and effectively utilizes typical climb rates to inform navigation calculations