I was taught glide approaches in the 1970's by ex RAF instructors. Our trusty mounts were Cessna 150s in which one could select 40 degrees of flap and dive near vertically but never exceed 80 mph.
Great fun, and it imbued me with a lifelong aversion to the 'modern' cross country circuit and powered approach.
I once read a book (wriiten many years ago) in which it was suggested that gentlemen should never "motor in". As a result I never have
Except when piloting things that glide like a brick
Sir George Cayley