Glide Distance Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the glide distance (GD) is:

$GD = GR \times VD$

Where:

$GD$ is the glide distance (m).
$GR$ is the glide ratio.
$VD$ is the vertical distance (m).

Example

Let's say the glide ratio ( $GR$ ) is 10 and the vertical distance ( $VD$ ) is 500 m. Using the formula:

$GD = 10 \times 500$

We get:

$GD = 5000$

So, the glide distance ( $GD$ ) is 5000 m.

What is Glide Distance?

The glide distance is the horizontal distance a glider or aircraft can travel while descending from a certain height. It is calculated by multiplying the glide ratio by the vertical distance. This is an important metric for pilots to understand the performance and capabilities of their aircraft during unpowered flight.

Extended information about "Glide-Distance-Calculator"

Glide Distance Calculation

Formula: $D = \frac{H}{\tan(\theta)}$

$D$ : Glide distance (m)
$H$ : Height (m)
$\theta$ : Glide angle (degrees)

Example: $D = \frac{1000}{\tan(5)}$

D: Glide distance
H: 1000
$\theta$ : 5

Best Glide Speed Calculation

Formula: $V_{BG} = \sqrt{\frac{2W}{\rho S C_L}}$

$V_{BG}$ : Best glide speed (m/s)
$W$ : Weight (N)
$\rho$ : Air density (kg/m³)
$S$ : Wing area (m²)
$C_L$ : Lift coefficient

Example: $V_{BG} = \sqrt{\frac{2 \times 5000}{1.225 \times 16 \times 0.5}}$

V_{BG}: Best glide speed
W: 5000
$\rho$ : 1.225
S: 16
$C_L$ : 0.5

Glideslope Calculation

Formula: $\theta = \arctan\left(\frac{H}{D}\right)$

$\theta$ : Glide angle (degrees)
$H$ : Height (m)
$D$ : Distance (m)

Example: $\theta = \arctan\left(\frac{500}{5000}\right)$

$\theta$ : Glide angle
H: 500
D: 5000

3 Degree Glideslope Calculation

Formula: $H = D \times \tan(3^\circ)$

$H$ : Height (m)
$D$ : Distance (m)

Example: $H = 1000 \times \tan(3^\circ)$

H: Height
D: 1000

Maximum Speed of the Glider Calculation

Formula: $V_{max} = \sqrt{\frac{2W}{\rho S C_D}}$

$V_{max}$ : Maximum speed (m/s)
$W$ : Weight (N)
$\rho$ : Air density (kg/m³)
$S$ : Wing area (m²)
$C_D$ : Drag coefficient

Example: $V_{max} = \sqrt{\frac{2 \times 5000}{1.225 \times 16 \times 0.3}}$

V_{max}: Maximum speed
W: 5000
$\rho$ : 1.225
S: 16
$C_D$ : 0.3