REFLECTOR: Glide Ratio

[Scott Baker]

Another factor to consider is the pitch setting on aircraft with constant speed propellers.
With the gear "Up", reduce power to idle and establish a glide speed somewhere near 90 knots (the estimated Best L/D reference speed) - observe the VSI.  Following this pull the propeller control to "Low RPM".  The aircraft literally accelerates as if it were in 'overdrive'.  Re-establish V-best glide and make another note of the VSI.  You should see a 200fpm improvement - or more - in the rate of descent.  Sloooooowly push the propeller pitch control back to the normal position to avoid damaging the engine.
SB
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron Brown 
  To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
  Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 9:20 AM
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Glide Ratio


  Good Morning Dick,

  I observed 15 and 16 to 1 in my 173 Elite RG at 90 kts.

  It is a fairly easy test to do yourself.

  Fly toward an airport.  At 5 miles from the airport, at say 6000' above the airport elevation.  Get established on your glide speed before the 5 miles to the airport.  Pull the throttle to idle and maintain your glide speed.  When you reach the airport, note your altitude (AGL).  Then calculate the ratio between the distance (5 nautical miles or 6076 feet per mile) divided by the total altitude lost. You can repeat going in the other direction to compensate for the wind.  

  If you want to get brave and pull the mixture to kill the engine, make sure you have enough elevation upon reaching the airport to do a dead stick landing in case you can't get the engine refired.  There is a difference between dead engine and idling, but I didn't try that so I couldn't tell you the difference.

  The Velocity's glide ratio is pretty good - very good compared to a RV or spam can.

  Ronnie

  ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Richard Affenit 
    To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
    Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 11:39 AM
    Subject: REFLECTOR: Glide Ratio


    I remember some conversation about the glide ratio for the XLRG in the past. I wonder if whoever did the testing would mind passing on their findings.

    Thanks...............Dick Affenit N732RA XLRG


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