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How far will an aircraft travel in still air if it begins gliding from 3000 feet above the ground with a lift-to-drag ratio of 8.5:1?

  • A

    3.70 NM

  • B

    4.19 NM

  • C

    4.83 NM

  • D

    7.77 NM

With a L/D ratio of 8.5, the aircraft will glide a distance of 8.5 miles for each mile of altitude lost in still air.

(1) Determine the aircraft’s height in NM: 1 NM = 6080 ft 
The aircraft is flying at an altitude of 3000 / 6080 = 0.49 NM

(2) Calculate the gliding range in still air (NAM): 
Gliding range in still air (NAM) = 8.5 x 0.49 = 4.17 NM

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