Interesting case with a 50 knot wind, but you forgot to factor in the
tiny detail that with a 50 knot wind, the thermal (assuming it isn't
sheared to bits) is coming at you at 50 knots. If you're looking for
interthermal cruise then wind speed does not factor into the
calculation, only if you're looking for performance relative to the
ground. The question appears to be talking about interthermal. If you
fly faster, you'll just arrive at that next thermal lower. D'oh!

Jim Culp wrote:
Tony Verhulst said,

'Ok, answer C says

'The best lift/drag speed with no regard to wind velocity.'.

So, Tony's best lift/drag speed is 50 knots and I'm
flying into a 50 knot
headwind at 50 indicated. And, I'm going ... where?

'A' is the correct
answer, IMHO. Answer 'A', in the above example, would
get you a ground
speed of 25 knots (75 - 50)- you're not going to do
much better than
that. The question, though, is poorly worded.

Tony V.

\_____________________________________________



Hi Tony,

re gittin the mostest out of the leastest into the
winds
when in a gliduh.

'Splain yo comment pls.




I thougjht best L/D into wind was defined to be Still
Air Best L over D speed plus half of the headwind speed
or plus the headwind speed.

What think you?

And, further, it seems one must size up the glide
angle
and impacting or landing site as one goes,

seeking to get best options made for landing .



Legitimate Question:

Is this art, craft, or science? given to addressing
this situation,

or all of the foregoing?

I say,

Fuzzy Logic Rules.


Adapt, adjust, use an estimated set of perameters,


thence

adjust to best outcome considering the difficulty one
finds oneself in and changing facts at hand and in
the changing situation

in his

Gliderplane.



Dancing on clouds,

Keep it up!

Jim Culp, USA

GatorCity Florida

Asw-20C