Aviation & Aeronautics
Intermediate

Glide Ratio

Horizontal distance traveled per unit of altitude lost equals the lift-to-drag ratio.

Formula

GR=dh=LDGR = \dfrac{d}{h} = \dfrac{L}{D}

Variables

GRGlide ratio
dDistance
hHeight lost
L/DLift-to-drag

Example

L/D 10: glide 10 nm per 6076 ft lost

Did You Know?

A modern glider can travel over 60 meters forward for every meter it descends.

glideratiol/dgliding