Glider Parameters
Glider Presets
Wing Loading W/S
35.0 kg/m²
Zero-Lift Drag CD0
0.0100
Induced Drag Factor k = 1/(πARe)
0.0140
Thermal Climb Rate w
2.0 m/s
0: none / 2: moderate / 5: strong thermal
Wind Speed (tailwind +)
0 km/h
Thermal Spacing
30 km
Starting Altitude
1500 m
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Best Glide Ratio L/D
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Best Glide Speed [km/h]
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Min Sink Rate [m/s]
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Min Sink Speed [km/h]
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MacCready Optimal Speed [km/h]
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Cross-Country Speed [km/h]
Theory
Sink rate (as a function of speed): $V_s = \dfrac{C_{D0}}{2K}\cdot\dfrac{W/S}{0.5\rho V} + \dfrac{2K(W/S)}{0.5\rho V}$
Best glide ratio: $(L/D)_{max} = \dfrac{1}{2}\sqrt{\dfrac{\pi AR\, e}{C_{D0}}}$
MacCready optimal speed: tangent from the $w_{thermal}$ point on the polar curve
Cross-country speed: $V_{XC} = \dfrac{d}{t_{glide} + t_{thermal}}$
CAE Integration: Aerodynamic design and XFOIL/AVL analysis verification for low-speed, high-aspect-ratio airfoils. Also applicable to efficiency evaluation of fixed-wing drones and HAPS (High-Altitude Platform Stations).