On Fri, 05 Jun 2015 09:56:48 -0700, platypterus101 wrote:

Can someone help educate these folks by posting a link to a nice
illustration of the lift-drag-weight vector triangle for straight-line
gliding flight?

S

Try this: http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/4forces.html - the
Lift, Thrust, Weight, and Drag section of http://www.av8n.com/

Better yet, read the whole site. Its its explanations are always clear
and relatively non-mathematical, preferring to use diagrams rather than
formulae. Yes, its about powered light aircraft and aimed at GA pilots,
but none the worse for that.

Alternatively, get yourself a copy of "Stick and Rudder" by Wolfgang
Langewiesche. Its equally non-mathematical and presents a pilots-centric
view of how wings work and the effect of control inputs. IMO it belongs
in a glider pilots library alongside George Moffat's "Winning on the
Wind" or its second edition, "Winning II" and, if you're pre-solo or
early solo, you may also want a copy of Derek Piggott's "Gliding".


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martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
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