Calculate glide ratio, descent angle, wind corrected range, and endurance. Use practical aviation inputs. Improve descent estimates with clearer engineering insight.
| Scenario | Airspeed (m/s) | Lift (N) | Drag (N) | Altitude (m) | Headwind (m/s) | Sink Rate (m/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training Glider | 28 | 3200 | 210 | 1200 | 4 | 1.2 |
| Light Aircraft | 42 | 5400 | 360 | 1800 | 6 | 2.0 |
| High Speed Descent | 58 | 7600 | 620 | 3000 | 12 | 3.6 |
Best Glide Ratio = Lift / Drag
Glide Angle = arctan(1 / Glide Ratio)
Time to Descend = Altitude / Sink Rate
Still Air Range = Altitude × Glide Ratio
Wind Adjusted Range = Ground Speed × Time to Descend
Ground Speed = Horizontal Airspeed − Headwind
Lift Coefficient = Weight / (0.5 × ρ × V² × Wing Area)
Drag Coefficient = CL / (L/D)
These equations estimate glide performance during an unpowered descent. They help compare aerodynamic efficiency, descent path, and the effect of wind on reachable distance.
Enter the best glide airspeed for the aircraft. Add lift and drag values from analysis, testing, or performance charts. Provide altitude, sink rate, and wind data. Include mass, wing area, and air density for extra aerodynamic outputs. Choose auto glide angle to calculate it from lift-to-drag ratio, or enter a known angle manually. Press the calculate button. The results appear above the form under the header section. Use the CSV or PDF buttons to export the output for reports, logs, or flight planning studies.
Best glide ratio shows how far an aircraft can travel forward while losing height. It is a direct measure of aerodynamic efficiency. Engineers use it to study airframe behavior, descent planning, and energy management.
The ratio depends on lift and drag. Higher lift with lower drag improves glide performance. A larger value means better range in still air. This makes the number useful in both design reviews and operational analysis.
Wind does not change the true lift-to-drag ratio. It changes ground distance. A headwind reduces the range over the ground. A tailwind increases it. That is why the calculator reports both still-air and wind-adjusted range.
Sink rate controls how long the aircraft stays airborne. Lower sink rates increase endurance. When combined with altitude, sink rate gives total descent time. That time then works with ground speed to estimate reachable distance.
Mass, wing area, and air density add context. They help estimate lift coefficient and drag coefficient. These values support aerodynamic checks and improve technical interpretation. They are especially helpful during conceptual studies and educational work.
Use this calculator for preliminary glide studies, classroom work, aircraft comparisons, and emergency descent estimation. It is also helpful for validating handbook data against expected aerodynamic behavior under different wind and altitude conditions.
It is the forward distance traveled divided by altitude lost during a glide. It is commonly represented by the lift-to-drag ratio and indicates aerodynamic efficiency.
No. Headwind does not change the aerodynamic glide ratio itself. It changes ground speed and therefore reduces the horizontal distance covered over the ground.
Lift and drag are used to compute the core lift-to-drag ratio. That ratio is the main basis for estimating glide angle and still-air horizontal range.
Range is the horizontal distance covered. Endurance is the time spent gliding before touchdown or a lower reference altitude is reached.
These inputs help estimate aerodynamic coefficients. They are useful when you want more engineering detail beyond simple glide distance and descent time.
Yes. Performance handbook values are suitable when direct test data is unavailable. Just keep units consistent and use realistic operating conditions.
A very strong headwind can reduce calculated ground speed to zero. In that case, the aircraft still descends, but forward ground range becomes negligible.
It works for educational and preliminary engineering estimates across many aircraft types. Final operational decisions should still rely on approved aircraft performance data.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.