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PA.IX.B.K2bFAA-S-ACS-6C · Nov 2023Knowledge

b. Difference between best glide speed and minimum sink speed

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Airspeed, including: b. Difference between best glide speed and minimum sink speed

Bottom line

Best glide airspeed maximizes the distance flown and occurs at the highest lift-to-drag ratio (L/D). Minimum sink speed maximizes the time the airplane remains in flight and results in the airplane losing altitude at the lowest rate. Minimum sink speed occurs at a lower airspeed than the best glide speed, and flight at it results in less distance traveled.

Key numbers

Key numbers for b. Difference between best glide speed and minimum sink speed
NumberWhat it means
a few knots less than best glide speedMin sink vs best glide

FAA references

  1. AFH ch. 3 (pp. 3-22–3-23) — FAA-H-8083-3C
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