From 7,000 ft AGL, with a glide ratio of 1.3:1, what is the approximate glide distance in nautical miles?

From 7,000 ft AGL, with a glide ratio of 1.3:1, what is the approximate glide distance in nautical miles?

• A. 1.0 NM
• B. 2.5 NM
• C. 1.5 NM
• D. 3.0 NM

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that glide distance equals the altitude times the glide ratio. A glide ratio of 1.3:1 means you travel 1.3 units forward for every 1 unit of altitude you lose. From 7,000 ft AGL, forward distance = 7,000 × 1.3 = 9,100 ft. Convert to nautical miles: 1 NM ≈ 6,076 ft, so 9,100 ÷ 6,076 ≈ 1.50 NM. The approximate glide distance is about 1.5 NM.

The main idea is that glide distance equals the altitude times the glide ratio. A glide ratio of 1.3:1 means you travel 1.3 units forward for every 1 unit of altitude you lose. From 7,000 ft AGL, forward distance = 7,000 × 1.3 = 9,100 ft. Convert to nautical miles: 1 NM ≈ 6,076 ft, so 9,100 ÷ 6,076 ≈ 1.50 NM. The approximate glide distance is about 1.5 NM.