REFLECTOR: Glide Ratio for the math challenged

[Laurence Coen]

As has been pointed out, you must use the same units of measure for both horizontal and vertical speed.  Since the VSI is reading feet/min and 1 knot is about 100 feet/min you need only multiply knots by 100 and divide by the vertical speed.  Thus a VSI of 1000 and 85 knots is 8500/1000=8.5 .  Simple and easy to remember.  Before someone points out that true airspeed will be greater that indicated I'll point out that it is better to be able to glide further that you calculated than less.  When the fan stops, establishing ideal glide speed, deciding where to land, wind and maneuvering are all bigger factors in a happy outcome.

Larry Coen
N136LC
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