step climb

Short definition from Wiktionary

Verb

1. 1
   To periodically climb to higher and higher altitudes during cruise flight, as the aircraft becomes lighter from fuel burnoff, to take advantage of the reduced drag at higher altitudes; like cruise-climbing, but with the aircraft climbing in discrete steps instead of continuously.
2. 2
   Alternative form of step climb.

Noun

1. 1
   An instance of step climbing.
2. 2
   Alternative form of step climb.