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Old 5th October 2009 | 04:53
  #11 (permalink)  
Wizofoz
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,835
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From: Boldly going where no split infinitive has gone before..
QJB,

Not quite sure what you mean.

If Best L/D were the usual descent speed, a heavier aircraft would descend at a higher speed than a lighter one.

I guess the best way to put it is this- Best L/D speed increases as a function of weight. Fly faster OR slower than best L/D, and you will not glide as far.

I would think that a descent with an FMC cost index of zero would have the aircraft descending at very near best L/D, perhaps modified slightly for residual thrust. Would anyone like to clarify that?
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