Just referring back to the original point... assuming there is no compelling reason to get down quickly e.g. fire/bits falling off/someone injured. I would suggest it is a lot safer to trim at the best glide speed and simply
fly the distance required to get down at that descent profile. Sure, pick a field - it it's close and you are high, simply extend the circuit a little, keep the field in sight and use a standard constant aspect method in order to judge your turning points. Once you are sure of making the field, dump some energy using flaps or better still by slipping. This is standard gliding practice and has to be better than making a 'dirty dive' at the selected landing area.
Kingy
PS this is, of course an 'armchair' view, and I did not follow my own advice when I did it for real last year....!
