Originally Posted by
ryan1234
- Maximum glide range in a no-wind condition will be done at (L/D)max - or the POH value for best glide speed.
- In a headwind, glide speed needs to be increased for best range.
- In a tailwind, glide speed needs to be decreased for best range.
Forget a published airspeed - L/Dmax is what you are aiming for, and because of this, Vglide is hardly ever its published value. I have always been taught (and will teach) to change speed when you have a head or tailwind. This has been confirmed by every DPE (4-5) I've asked about the subject, for whatever that's worth. You are trying to glide a certain distance over the ground, and hence your indicated airspeed should be adjusted to obtain a groundspeed that will produce favorable results.
Ever lesser known is to decrease Vglide by 5% for every 10% below max gross weight. Just a handy and surprisingly accurate rule of thumb. Make sure you know if Vglide has been calculated with or with out flaps, gear, etc., too.