Thrust required for approach
Nice question raised in another part of this forum
Quote: "On a 3 degree final descent what requires more thrust a heavy or light aircraft?"
Sorry, but can't figure out the correct answer.
Considering a power-off situation, both (light and heavy) aircraft flying at their respective speed giving optimum angle of attack get the same lift/drag ratio => same angle of descent
On cruise, if both aircraft fly with the same respective speed, I expect the heavier aircraft to need more thrust than the lighter one.
Correct?
Thus can we consider the 3° descent as an intermediate position between the cruise and the power-off situation?
But we should as well consider the fact that Vtgt (or Vref) isn't maybe exactly the same as the V for best glide...
Thanks for the help