Minumum Sink Rate/Best L/D at 17,000 feet ?

Kemp wrote:
A related and very critical point that I've not seen mentioned or
written anywhere about higher altitude soaring (17K and above) is that
it is much easier to exceed Vne because of human factors combined with
thinner air.
1) Less noise: Because the air is thinner, there is less air flow
noise in the cockpit. Many pilots use air flow noise as a secondary
way to monitor airspeed.

My perception is the noise is greater, but maybe what I'm reacting to is
noise that's a higher frequency than the same IAS at a lower altitude.
Or, maybe what I'm responding to is more vent noise at higher altitudes,
not the glider airframe noise. I'll have to pay attention the next time
I fly!

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
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