What is Glide Ratio and Why Should You Care?
Whether you're a pilot, aviation enthusiast, or just curious about how objects soar through the air, understanding glide ratio is fascinating. In simple terms, glide ratio measures how far a glider or any aircraft can travel horizontally when it descends a certain vertical distance.
Imagine you're flying a paper airplane. The better its glide ratio, the farther it will fly with minimal altitude loss. This is crucial not only for designing efficient aircraft but also for pilots making safe landings in case of engine failure.
How to Calculate Glide Ratio
Calculating glide ratio is straightforward. You simply divide the horizontal distance traveled by the change in altitude:
[\text{Glide Ratio} = \frac{\text{Horizontal Distance}}{\text{Change in Altitude}}]
Where:
- Horizontal Distance is the distance traveled across the ground.
- Change in Altitude is the drop in height from starting to landing point.
Use the same units for both measurements (meters with meters, or feet with feet).
Calculation Example
Let's work through an example. A glider travels 12,000 meters horizontally while dropping 800 meters in altitude.
[\text{Glide Ratio} = \frac{12,000}{800} = 15:1]
The glide ratio is 15:1. This means for every meter the glider descends, it travels 15 meters horizontally.
Another Example in Imperial Units
A glider travels 40,000 feet horizontally and loses 2,000 feet in altitude:
[\text{Glide Ratio} = \frac{40,000}{2,000} = 20:1]
This glider has a ratio of 20:1, making it more efficient than the first example.
Quick Tips and Reference
| Aircraft Type | Typical Glide Ratio |
|---|---|
| Boeing 747 | 17:1 |
| Cessna 172 | 9:1 |
| Competition Glider | 40-60:1 |
| Hang Glider | 12-17:1 |
| Wingsuit | 2.5-3:1 |
Understanding glide ratios helps you appreciate the art of flight and can be critical knowledge in emergency situations.