***All those who read, plase note fundamental mistakes have been made in this post, I'd like to leave it here so the rest of the string make sence & we can all learn***
Far to thick for the maths above. But my understanding is.
Vmd is minimum drag, at this speed there is the best Lift to drag ratio, this determines Angle of impact.. sorry, Glide angle. not time in the air.
Vmp is minimum Power. Power is the amount Thrust over Time. no engine results in no thrust, but theres still time!.
Using the least power to keep the A/C in the air, will result in more time to panic in the air.
Vmp is lower than Vmd, Vmd is at the lowest point on the total Drag to Speed curve, giving the best ratio. Vmp is the point hit by a line tangential ***Perpendicular (Right angles), always been crap at maths)*** to the curve from the origin.
these are with no power, & should be applicable to both prop & Jet, however, powerplant differences result in differences when the noisy things still whine away (Engines not Passengers).
As for putting flaps down, I'd be thinking how fast you want the student to hit the ground, & how familiar the attitude to look.
[This message has been edited by little red train (edited 04 November 2000).]