Some notes on drag and glide ratio

The drag curve. The lowest point

of the graph is the point where the
combined drag is at its lowest, that
the wing or aircraft is performing
at its best L/D. For this reason
designers will typically select a
wing design which produces an
L/D peak at the chosen crusing
speed for a powered fixed-wing
aircraft,
thereby
maximizing
economy. Like all things in
aeronauical engineering, the liftto-drag ratio is not the only
consideration for wing design.
Performance at high angle of
attack and a gentle stall are also
important.

Glide Ratio

see http://wapedia.mobi/en/Gliding_flight

Minimising drag is of particular interest in the design and operation of high performance
gliders (sailplanes), the largest of which can have glide ratios approaching 60 to 1, though
many others have a lower performance; 25:1 being considered adequate for training use.

When flown at a constant speed in still air a glider moves forwards a

certain distance for a certain distance downwards. The ratio of the
distance forwards to downwards is called the glide ratio. The glide
ratio is numerically equal to the lift to drag ratio under these
conditions; but is not necessarily equal during other manoeuvres,
especially if speed is not constant. A glider's glide ratio varies with
airspeed, but there is a maximum value which is frequently quoted.
Glide ratio usually varies little with vehicle loading however, a
heavier vehicle glides faster, but maintains its glide ratio.
Glide ratio is also known as glide number, finesse and is the
cotangent of the downward angle - the glide angle. Alternatively it
is also the forward speed divided by sink speed (unpowered
aircraft):

L s v forward
=
=
D h
vdown

PEME 1100 Introduction to Aviation Technology Professor A.C. McIntosh

PEME 1100 Introduction to Aviation Technology Professor A.C. McIntosh

Examples
Flight example

Scenario

L/D ratio / Glide ratio

Modern Sailplane

gliding

~70

L s
=
D h
L
Range Height
D

15

Hang glider
Gimli glider

Boeing 767-200 with fuel

exhaustion

~12

Paraglider

high performance model

11

Powered parachute

Rectangular/elliptical
parachute

3.6/5.6

Example

Space Shuttle

Approach

4.5

Wingsuit

Gliding

2.5

Boeing 767 1983 Air Canada 2 engine flame out at 41000ft

: L/D ~ 12 (was due to a series of faulty checks on fuel).

Northern flying
squirrel

Gliding

1.98

Space Shuttle

Hypersonic

Apollo CM

Reentry

0.368

PEME 1100 Introduction to Aviation Technology Professor A.C. McIntosh

Range approx = 12 X 41000 ft = 93 miles

Landed at Gimli Industrial Airfield, Manitoba

PEME 1100 Introduction to Aviation Technology Professor A.C. McIntosh