Originally Posted by
joepilot
There are a couple of errors on some of the previous posts. L/D max is not the same as minimum drag. Minimum drag (max endurance, holding speed, (or, in glider terms, min sink)) is at the low point on the total drag curve. L/D max (best glide distance) is at the tangent of the line from the origin touching the total drag curve.
Some aircraft with really powerful wing mounted engines and relatively small tails (think P-38) have a very high Vmc, and Vyse has to be raised above what the calculation would normally show to account for that.
Joe
well put Joe.... L/D is a ratio subject to certain variables. When these certain variables are added or taken away, this alters the significance for a given circumstance.