Larry Dighera
February 26th 05, 11:05 PM
On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 14:48:17 -0500, "news.mcgraw-hill.com"
> wrote in
>::
>During a review of the V-speeds for an airplane I've never flown before, my
>instructor asked me about glide speed vs. weight, and total glide distance.
>
>I got the glide speed vs. weight part right, but the distance part seemed
>counterintuitive - that the total distance covered (by flying at the correct
>best glide speed for the weight) would be the same, regardless of the
>weight.
>
>Can anyone explain this so that it makes sense?
>
Here's a clue:
http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/power.html#sec-weight-effects
The short answer is that the L/D is virtually unaffected by weight.
For a more technical explanation, I've crossposted to
rec.aviation.soaring.
> wrote in
>::
>During a review of the V-speeds for an airplane I've never flown before, my
>instructor asked me about glide speed vs. weight, and total glide distance.
>
>I got the glide speed vs. weight part right, but the distance part seemed
>counterintuitive - that the total distance covered (by flying at the correct
>best glide speed for the weight) would be the same, regardless of the
>weight.
>
>Can anyone explain this so that it makes sense?
>
Here's a clue:
http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/power.html#sec-weight-effects
The short answer is that the L/D is virtually unaffected by weight.
For a more technical explanation, I've crossposted to
rec.aviation.soaring.