So you think you have a low glide ratio!

The January 2006 issue of AOPA Pilot has an article about a Pilatus PC-12
single engine turboprop. Beautiful airplane.

In the article is the following comment: "It's a great glider. ... the PC-12
has a 2.7-1 power off glide ratio at maximum gross weight - not bad at all
for a 9,920 pound airplane".

Just for reference, I calculated the glide ratio of the Schweizer 300C
helicopter I was flying and it is not far off from that, engine out. I
never could attain the calculated glide ratio with the helicopter, though.

I would never call anything with a 2.7-1 glide ratio as being great,
although it probably is better than the space shuttle.

Colin