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Glide range

  • Afa
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Afa created the topic: Glide range

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?
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  • John.Heddles
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  • ATPL/consulting aero engineer
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John.Heddles replied the topic: Glide range

If best L/D speed is maintained, what happened to glide range when there is an increase in headwind/tailwind?

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.

If best L/D speed is not maintained, what happened to glide range when there is an increase in headwind/tailwind?

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.
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