David Bingham wrote:
The equation relating potential energy to
kinetic energy is:

mdg=mvv/2

where m=mass
d=height
g=gravitation const.
v=velocity

NOTE: THAT m(MASS) CANCELS OUT!!!!!!

height=velocity squared/2*gravitational const

Hi David,

The full equation is mdg + work_due_to_drag = mvv/2

The work due to drag (a negative term) is a complex function of speed
and AOA, but in general the MASS DOES NOT CANCEL OUT!!!!!!!

If all of the drag is parasitic, i.e., due to just the shape of the
bird, then the heavy plane is favored. Not by a lot, for sure. Percent
diffs.

For your example where you throw the glider vertically in the air, the
only drag will be parasitic drag, since the wings will be generating
zero lift. The heavier plane will then absolutely go slightly higher.


OK an example: Say we throw a glider vertially
in the air. How high will it go if its initial
vertical speed is 140mph. Approximately 660feet.

OK. Now lets throw the same glider vertically at
the same speed and measure how high it rises for
its vertical speed to have diminished to 50mph,
575 feet!