"Jack G" wrote in message
...
Only in a vacuum would both "glide" at the same speed and go the same
distance - I think.
Jack



In this case you are probably right but there is some truth in the
assertion.

Neglecting supersonic/transonic effects glide ratio is not effected by wing
loading but the glide speed is. This is why we find that large airliners
can have glide ratios comparable with many low performance
sailplanes. The difference being that their best glide speed is probably
an order of magnitude higher and so therefore is their rate of descent.

In the case of a lead U-2 though I imagine that glide speed would be
hypersonic

Keith