REFLECTOR: Glide tests

[Brett Ferrell]

If I recall correctly (and I probably don't, but what the hey),

best glide = best rate of climb speed (Vy) = best L/D = Max Range Speed, which
my XL manual claims to be about 100kt

Brett

Quoting Ron Brown <romott at adelphia.net>:

> I ran some glide tests on my 173 Elite RG with Catto climb prop (66" dia x70)
> last week.
>
> I flew 10 miles away from an airport, climbed to 6500 feet, turned around and
> slowed to 90 kias with engine idling (1040 rpm).  In 6:27 minutes, I was over
> the airport at 2700 feet.  This equates to 16:1 glide ratio, 93 kias average
> speed, and 590 FPM.  Not bad.  I was flying solo, total weight was 1900 lbs.
> The return trip in the other direction was slightly lower at 15.2:1.   As I
> understand it, best glide speed for a Velocity is 90-100 kias.
>
> RV's on the other hand, do about 12:1
>
> (oh and lets not get into a big discussion on prop stopped versus wind
> milling.  If you want to see that discussion. go to last week's RV list).
>
> Ronnie
>