What is the approximate glide distance at a height above terrain of 10,500 feet with a tailwind of 20 knots?

• A. 15 miles
• B. 28 miles
• C. 20 miles
• D. 35 miles

Answer: (B)

To determine the approximate glide distance at a height of 10,500 feet with a tailwind of 20 knots, it's essential to start with an understanding of basic gliding performance.

Glide distance can typically be calculated using the glide ratio of an aircraft, which is the distance it can travel horizontally for a given altitude lost. Most modern gliders have a glide ratio ranging from about 10:1 to 20:1, meaning that for every foot of altitude lost, they can travel from 10 to 20 feet horizontally.

When calculating glide distance, the altitude of 10,500 feet is the starting point. If we take an average glide ratio of about 15:1, this means that an aircraft can cover approximately 15 miles horizontally for a loss of 1,000 feet in altitude. However, the presence of a tailwind increases this distance significantly because the wind assists in moving the aircraft forward while it is gliding.

Given the tailwind of 20 knots, which is approximately a rate of 23 miles per hour, the tailwind contributes additional horizontal distance during the glide. Calculating the glide distance attributes some additional travel distance due to this wind factor.

Thus, taking into account the glide distance from the