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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.

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Q: Why does glide ratio not change with aircraft weight?
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