Any glider pilots out there?
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Pennsylvania
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Any glider pilots out there?
I'm talking my written test tomorrow and came across a question while studying about glide ratio and tailwind. It said that if you have a glide ratio of 20:1 and are traveling at 40mph, if you have a 20mph tailwind it will increase your glide ratio to 30:1. I know that I should know this but can any one help?
Thanks
Thanks
There are many references on the web. G00gle is your friend.
This link explains things quite well:
aerodynamics of gliding
This link explains things quite well:
aerodynamics of gliding
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
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Your glide ratio is the ratio of ground speed vs decent rate.
Your decent rate stays the same regardless of any head or tail wind, however now you have a 20mph tailwind your ground speed has increased from 40mph to 60mph.
Since your ground speed has increased by 50% but your decent rate has stayed the same, you glide ratio has increased by 50% from 20:1 to 30:1.
Your decent rate stays the same regardless of any head or tail wind, however now you have a 20mph tailwind your ground speed has increased from 40mph to 60mph.
Since your ground speed has increased by 50% but your decent rate has stayed the same, you glide ratio has increased by 50% from 20:1 to 30:1.