In article ,
Martin Gregorie wrote:

There's also a comment that descent requires the chutes out and throttle
closed because the L/D ratio is so good, but doesn't say what the L/D
figure is or what speed gives best glide.

On the site now:

"if Steve does cross the*Atlantic and finds he does not have enough fuel
to keep the engine running for the last leg of the flight, his glide
ratio is 200 miles from 50,000 feet. And, as we all know, if anyone has
to glide an aircraft, Steve - with all his gliding records - is the man
for the job."

That's between 21.1:1 and 24.3:1 depending on whether they mean statute
or nautical miles. That's close to ILS approach slope, which regular
airliners pretty much glide down the last 100 or 150 miles.

Perhaps the 37:1 is only with the engines idling?

--
Bruce | 41.1670S | \ spoken | -+-
Hoult | 174.8263E | /\ here. | ----------O----------