Driftdown procedure and V-speeds
As I understand it, the sequence of events in the driftdown procedure is as follows:
Twinjet cruising at 1.32Vmd for max range. Engine failure and therefore loss of thrust means you can't continue at that altitude. Initially you trade airspeed to maintain altitude while slowing to Vmd which gives best range during the subsequent glide down (or does it?). Vmd is then maintained until a certain 'level-off' altitude where thrust is sufficient once again to fly level.
Now, I assume that you would want to get back to 1.32Vmd at your level-off altitude to continue to get max range but if you're drifting down at Vmd at what point do you transition back to 1.32Vmd, or don't you?
Should you drift down at Vmd or some higher speed? I'm missing something but not sure what!
I suppose another way of looking at it, is given an engine failure in the cruise and 30 mins of fuel remaining, which technique would carry you the greatest horizontal distance before hitting the floor?