Question about glide ratios (for the aerodynamically skilled)

On Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:15:25 -0000, Tina
wrote:

As best I can tell, it seems for a given configuration air speed for
best glide angle (I will define best as most shallow angle) changes
with weight, but the angle itself doesn't change much. Hi performance
gliders carry water to increase penetration into headwinds, dump it
to increase time aloft, but still go down about foot for every 20 some
they move thru the air, don't they?

I certainly hope they do better than that. An F-33 Bonanza is between
17 and 20:1 clean (depending on how heavily it's loaded.) My old Deb
has almost twice the ratio of a 172. Best glide is @ 120 MPH (give or
take)and that gives a rate of descent between 500 and 600 fpm.

Roger (K8RI)


I need, for a fictional piece I'm writing, an efficient long range low
power consumption airplane and don't want it to fail because of
technical errors.

Thanks for your comments

Check out the Ximango Motorglider for inspiration...

32:1 L/D with an engine, too!

http://www.ximangousa.com



Don Byrer KJ5KB
Radar Tech & Smilin' Commercial Pilot Guy
Glider & CFI wannabe
kj5kb-at-hotmail.com

"I have slipped the surly bonds of earth; now if I can just land without bending the gear..."
"Watch out for those doves...smack-smack-smack-smack..."