You're right, sprucegoose. Has nothing to do with how many engines are operating.
L/D max is a very important number for pilots to know aobut their a/c. It gives best angle of climb, best driftdown speed and max endurance; all the same indicated airspeed. (Of course, the airspeed varies with weight.)
manuel-
If you mean becoming inop right after gear up and still in the takeoff configuration, the L/D max will be approx V2 +20.
------------------
[This message has been edited by quid (edited 26 October 2000).]