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Old January 11th 06, 09:52 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default So you think you have a low glide ratio!

Found a number of docs that refer to it as 22 degrees at 360mph
I've understood it to be about 4:1, but I don't do much math so I can't
convert the 22 degrees into a L.....
"GM" wrote in message
ups.com...
I had several (pre 9/11) cockpit rides in various Airbus types over
Germany. Some of the crew members were active glider pilots and they
claimed an L/D in the mid 20's, if they make the engines 'disappear'
drag-wise by keeping them going a bit above idle speed.

Remember the 'Gimli Glider', the Air Canada B767, that ran out of fuel?
There is a nice write-up at http://www.wadenelson.com/gimli.html
The author states a 11:1 for this 132t glider with two wind-milling P&W
engines and a RAT hanging out of it's belly.

Just out of curiosity - does anyone have a number for the space
shuttle?

Uli Neumann
Libelle 'GM'