Page 521 - PPL-engelsk 2025

Principles of flight

The aircraft here has

a glide ratio of 1:10.

This means that, in still air, the aircraft flies 10 times as far horizontally as it has

altitude.

5.10.5.2 Gliding speed

The figure here shows how the

aircraft sinks in still air when the

engine is set to idle.

- A = Speed for minimum sink. If you have an engine stall over deserted

unknown terrain on a dark night, this may be the speed you should use for

gliding.

- B = Glide speed in still air to achieve the best glide range

- C = Glide speed in headwind should be greater than in still air (this will give

you less time in headwind). Glide speed in tailwind should be slightly less

than in still air.

The illustration below shows 3 aircraft gliding at different speeds.

Flight Theory PPL(A)(UL)/LAPL Henning Andersen, Midtjysk Flyveskole© 2025 521