Which statement about glide distance is correct when using best glide speed?

Which statement about glide distance is correct when using best glide speed?

• A. Maximize distance traveled for a given altitude
• B. Maximize rate of climb
• C. Maximize bank angle
• D. Maximize fuel efficiency

Answer: (A)

Best glide speed is the airspeed that gives the maximum lift-to-drag ratio, so the glider can travel the farthest horizontally for a given loss of altitude. At this speed the glide distance is maximized because the aircraft converts altitude into forward travel most efficiently. Flying faster increases drag more than it increases lift, reducing distance, while flying slower increases induced drag and also reduces distance. The other ideas don’t describe what best glide speed achieves: it isn’t about climbing, it isn’t about maximizing bank angle, and fuel efficiency isn’t a factor in unpowered flight.

Best glide speed is the airspeed that gives the maximum lift-to-drag ratio, so the glider can travel the farthest horizontally for a given loss of altitude. At this speed the glide distance is maximized because the aircraft converts altitude into forward travel most efficiently. Flying faster increases drag more than it increases lift, reducing distance, while flying slower increases induced drag and also reduces distance. The other ideas don’t describe what best glide speed achieves: it isn’t about climbing, it isn’t about maximizing bank angle, and fuel efficiency isn’t a factor in unpowered flight.