Principles of Flight Chapter 5 - Gliding

Forces on a Glider Unlike a normal aircraft a glider has no engine i.e. no thrust. So only 3 forces act on the Glider Weight, Drag, Lift

Lift Like a normal aircraft a glider has to generate lift it does this by moving through the air, falling slowly like a car coasting down hill It must descend constantly to have lift

Gliding Angle and Distance How far a glider travels depends on 2 things: The Gliding angle – The angle at which it descends. The Height/Distance ratio – Viking 1:15 so it will travel 15km for every km above the ground it is.

Effect of Wind A Glider flying away from the wind (Downwind) will travel further. A Glider Flying in to a 35kt wind at 35kts will appear to stay still in the air A glider flying at 35kts away from the wind will appear to be flying at 70 kts

Airbrakes Instead of flaps gliders use airbrakes. Panels which pop out of the top of the wings. To keep the same speed, the nose is put down increasing gliding angle Allows the glider to land in smaller spaces.