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"Who said it doesn't? Of course it changes. The Lift force has to equal the weight of the aircraft. The amount of lift generated is a function of airspeed and angle of attack. Lift does not increase just because the aircraft weighs more. So, if two aircraft are identical other than weight, the lighter one glides further."
Incorrect ! Absolutely wrong!
Glide ratio (L over D or L/D) is NOT affected by aircraft weight. The glide ratio is a factor of the physical form of the aircraft; the drag produced by the aircraft shape & profile and the lift produced by the wings.
Those factors do not change and we are speaking of aircraft best glide ratio, so, by definition, while producing the least drag which means landing gear retracted & flaps up, referred to as "clean".
Aircraft manuals (POH- pilot operating handbook) that list glide ratio & often the speed at which to fly to achieve best glide ratio (greatest distance the aircraft will fly) always refer to aircraft maximum gross weight. If the aircraft weighs less, the best glide speed will be lower.
A rule of thumb; for every 10% (1%) below gross weight, reduce speed by 5% (.5%) to achieve best glide speed.
A Cessna 172 empty weight is about 69% of maximum gross weight. W/ min. fuel and 150lb pilot the plane weighs about 76% of gross, so 24% less weight = 12% reduction in speed to arrive at best glide, reducing best glide from 65 kts at gross weight to 57kts at minimal weight.
This can be significant and determine if the plane reaches the planned touchdown point.
Conclusion is, a heavier aircraft will glide the same distance as a lighter aircraft (of identical make/model) but it will need to be flown at a higher speed to do so.
Yes, the lift produced is a function of airspeed & angle of attack
as best glide ratio is a function of angle of attack (AoA). So a specific AoA must be achieved to insure best glide / longest distance over the ground.
The most perceived difference between lighter and heavier aircraft is, the heavier aircraft arrives in the same spot, faster.
The same effects are in play with air density and higher altitude.
Air is thinner, less lift and less drag, but Lift over Drag (L/D) is still a factor of the physical structure, shape/ profile and the lift produced by the wings.
This does not change when the air is thinner.
I do not have information as to how to adjust the speed for best glide ratio
as altitude increases and air density decreases.
It is amazing how many pilots and aviation professionals do not understand this.
What else can I help you with?
What is a good wingspan to height ratio for a plane?
The wing span of the plan has nothing to do with the height of the air craft, it is more in line with weight and length than the height and even then it is mostly has to do with the weight. You see in order to get into the air you need what is called lift. Lift is obtain by passing wind over the wings causing the craft to literally lift of the ground, when you take gravity and the weight of the craft into consideration then you can start looking at the wing span. Now that being said you also must take thrust into consideration. Since you can lift a lot of weight off the ground with smaller wing span if you have enough thrust pushing you forward creating enough wind over/under the wings causing lift. There is still much more answer to this question of wing span but in a nut shell that's it.
How much would you weight if your obese?
Your weight can vary depending on the degree of obesity, but it is generally defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. For example, a person who is 5'9" and has a BMI of 30 would weigh around 203 pounds. However, it's important to remember that weight is just one factor in determining health, and other factors such as muscle mass, body composition, and overall lifestyle also play a role.
How much would a person weigh on the moon if they weighed 450 N?
To find a person's weight on the Moon, you can use the ratio of the Moon's gravity to Earth's gravity. The Moon's gravity is about 1/6th that of Earth's. Therefore, if a person weighs 450 N on Earth, their weight on the Moon would be approximately 450 N / 6, which equals 75 N.
How does the weight of an object change when it is taken to the moon?
I would weigh 30lbs 5.9oz.Well your weight on earth is given by the equation weight = mass x gravity. The different gravity constant on the moon is what changes your weight, but your mass remains the same. The weight formula on the moon would be the same only with the different gravity constant. So putting these equations together we get:weight on moon = mass x gravity constant of moonweight on moon = (weight on earth/gravity constant of earth) x gravity constant of moonThen we plug in the gravity constants and get the final conversion equation:weight on moon = (weight on earth/ 9.8) x 1.6Note: The constants are given with the units m/s2 but because they cancel each other out, you can enter your weight with any units and solve for your weight on the moon in the same units.Hope this helps!Well actually you have no weight on the Moon you just are weightless because there is no gravity...About 1/6 of your weight on the Earth. The weight on the Moon is about 1.6 Newton/kilogram.nope, weight is relative to gravitational force. The astronaut would have the same mass though.
What type of metal or metals are rockets made from?
Rockets are typically made from lightweight and strong metals such as aluminum and titanium. These metals provide the necessary strength-to-weight ratio to withstand the stresses of launch and flight. Additionally, some components may also be made from specially designed alloys or composites to meet specific requirements.
What is glide ratio of a piper saratoga?
The glide ratio of a Piper Saratoga is approximately 10:1. This means that for every 10 feet of horizontal distance traveled, the aircraft descends about 1 foot. The glide ratio can vary based on factors such as weight, configuration, and environmental conditions. Pilots should be aware of this ratio for effective management during engine-out scenarios.
What is the glide ration of an Airbus A380?
The glide ratio of an Airbus A380 is approximately 15:1. This means that for every 15 units of horizontal distance it covers, it descends about 1 unit vertically. This ratio allows the aircraft to glide efficiently in the event of an engine failure or other emergencies. However, the exact glide ratio can vary based on factors such as weight and weather conditions.
What is meant by a glide ratio of 7?
A glide ratio of 7 means that for every 7 units of horizontal distance traveled, an aircraft descends 1 unit vertically. This ratio indicates the efficiency of a glider or aircraft in maintaining altitude while moving forward. A higher glide ratio suggests better performance, allowing the aircraft to cover more distance before losing altitude. In practical terms, it shows how far a glider can travel horizontally without power compared to its descent.
Will the flight of a paper airplane be altered if the weight changes?
Yes, weight may affect a paper airplane by increasing its mass. This may alter its glide ratio and change its wing loading.
What is the importants of thrust to weight ratio in aircraft?
It is important because it is essential for for climbing of aircraft. There is a limit for thrust to weight ratio. When an airplane exceeds it, it cannot climb effeciently.
What is the glide ratio of a G550?
The Gulfstream G550 has a glide ratio of approximately 15:1. This means that for every 15 units of horizontal distance covered, the aircraft can descend 1 unit vertically. This glide ratio allows for effective performance in emergencies and provides pilots with a better understanding of their descent capabilities in case of an engine failure.
What is the importance of lift to drag ratio?
In aircraft aerodynamics, the lift-to-drag ratio, or L/D ratio, is the amount of lift generated by an aerofoil, divided by the drag it creates by moving through the air. A higher or more favourable L/D ratio is typically one of the major goals in aircraft design; since a particular aircraft's required lift is set by its weight, delivering that lift with lower drag leads directly to better fuel economy, climb performance, and glide ratio.
Why do wing length and plane weight matter with paper airplanes?
The combination of wing area and plane weight affect a paper airplane's glide ratio and range.
Do heavier airplanes fly faster?
Not necessarily. The aircraft with better power to weight ratio will fly fastest.
What is the glide ratio for a wing-suit?
2.5 and better. It various, depending on brand and design. The different manufacturers are constantly improving the glide-ratio for their suits.
How long can a Boeing fly for with no engine power?
A Boeing aircraft can glide for a considerable distance without engine power, depending on its model and altitude. Generally, commercial jets have a glide ratio of about 15:1, meaning they can travel approximately 15 miles horizontally for every 1 mile of altitude lost. For example, if a Boeing is at cruising altitude of 30,000 feet, it could glide for about 75 miles before needing to land. However, the actual distance may vary based on factors such as weight, weather conditions, and pilot skill.
How can you maximize the lift to drag ratio of an aircraft?
Fly the airplane at L/Dmax speed. This is also know as best glide. This speed is found in the POH and represents where induced and parasite drags are at there minimal values for the airplane.
