"Ron Wanttaja" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:06:27 -0700 (PDT), Harry K
wrote:

... of course a plane
just out of the pits will be a lot slower and have less acceleration than
those
already aloft (due to still carrying a heavy fuel load).

Reduced acceleration yes, but a heavier aircraft has a faster best L/D, (all
else being equal) which is why competition gliders often fly with water ballast.

If you take the time to think about it, the optimum Fuel Consumption vs Gross
Weight vs Altitude vs Speed vs Flight Duration vs Range strategy for these birds
gets more and more complicated.

Vaughn