Glide Distance Calculator
Estimate how far an aircraft or glider can travel forward while it descends from a given height in still air. Enter the height and the glide ratio from your aircraft's own performance figures, and the distance follows.
- Free
- Works offline after your first visit
- Saves on this device
- No sign-up
- Updated
How it works
Glide ratio is the horizontal distance covered for each unit of height lost in still air. Multiply the height by the glide ratio to get the distance.
Wind, sink, flap settings and the speed flown all change the real result, often by a lot. Treat this as a simple geometry check, not as a plan for where to come down.
Worked example
From 3,000 ft up, with a glide ratio of 9 to 1, the still-air glide covers about 5.1 mi.
Questions
Where do I find my glide ratio?
It is usually in the flight manual or performance data for the aircraft or glider. Use the figure for the speed you plan to fly.
Does wind change the distance?
Yes. A headwind shortens the glide over the ground and a tailwind lengthens it, so the real distance can differ quite a lot.
Can I use this to plan a landing?
No. It gives one simple still-air number. Planning a landing needs the procedures and training for your own aircraft.
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