Jim Carter wrote:
During a recent discussion about calculating glide ratio, I began to wonder
what the effects of pressure altitude were on the glide ratio of an
aircraft. Since air is 50% as dense at FL180 as at sea level, would the
glide ratio increase (glide further) as altitude decreases? AND if there is
a difference in glide ratio as altitude changes, then what values do most
manufacturers use when they publish their numbers (if they do)?

Oh yeah, I do understand that glide ratio changes to 0:0 upon impact, so the
wags can skip that part of the reply...


Ratio math is good only if terrain is perfectly flat in a
perfect world. You got to figure in the geography to get the
actual ratio. Or...... splat

A little calculus anyone???