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If best L/D speed is maintained, what happened to glide range when there is an increase in headwind/tailwind?
If best L/D speed is not maintained, what happened to glide range when there is an increase in headwind/tailwind?
[color=blue][i][b]If best L/D speed is maintained, what happened to glide range when there is an increase in headwind/tailwind?[/b][/i][/color]
For a given airspeed/thrust,
(a) a headwind will reduce your groundspeed and the glide angle (as observed by someone on the ground) steepens a bit - range decreases
(b) a tailwind will increase your groundspeed and the glide angle (as observed by someone on the ground) flattens out a bit - range increases.
In each case (presuming smooth air) the performance measured against the air mass stays the same.
[color=blue][i][b]If best L/D speed is not maintained, what happened to glide range when there is an increase in headwind/tailwind?[/b][/i][/color]
That all depends on the speed variations. However, if you are maintaining a constant airspeed, the effect of wind will be similar to the previous situation.
Engineering specialist in aircraft performance and weight control.