Looks like you might be right FFF...
You're at 2000', cruising at 130 but with a best glide of 70. The zoom climb buys you approx. 400', which you get in about 0.2nm. So you're now at 2400', about 0.2nm from where you started and you glide at 70 at a VS of 600'/min. You end up 4.8 miles away. If on the other hand you just slowly raise the nose, pegging the VSI at 0 until the ASI reads 70, you get the best part of 1nm. So now you're gliding at 2000' 1nm from where you started, which you continue to do for about 3.8 miles, thus giving you a total distance of 4.8 miles.
Is this where a glider pilot starts talking about total energy? I suppose with the zoom climb you get to the best glide speed more quickly, but with all the other inaccuracies involved it isn't going to make any difference.
So if the engine were to suddenly quit it looks like you (I) needn't climb and scare anyone above. If the engine sounded like it was about to quit I suppose one could then set 7700, send a mayday and ask for an exceptional climb.
Last edited by drauk; 14th May 2003 at 02:37.