tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post113994153648876572..comments2024-03-13T09:47:40.487+00:00Comments on Cockpit Conversation: Best Range in WindAviatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-57060585539970178542009-01-27T20:56:00.000+00:002009-01-27T20:56:00.000+00:00With other words: increasing the (already higher) ...With other words: increasing the (already higher) best range speed for headwind (tangent point with the lowest ratio of drag change vs. TAS change) to counteract the negative effect of the headwind, will always decrease the already lower range even futher.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-15540724089707154712009-01-27T18:47:00.000+00:002009-01-27T18:47:00.000+00:00I had troubles on this subject and found your post...I had troubles on this subject and found your post via google.<BR/><BR/>Isn't it so that the steeper the tangent to the D-curve is, the extra drag per extra kt (TAS) flown is higher? This means that with a higher ff per kt (TAS) will always decrease the best range. And with headwind the tangent is always steeper. The tangent gives the lowest ratio of D (or fuel flow) vs. speed and with this it gives the best range speed in the new situation. <BR/>Only when increasing the TAS more than the current headwind will give you a higher ground speed or ground range per hour, but the drag will grow exponentionally and with that the fuel flow, which in turn gives a lower product of endurance and GS(= ground range).<BR/><BR/>I'm still a student pilot so correct me if I'm wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-22642910364037933722009-01-27T18:45:00.000+00:002009-01-27T18:45:00.000+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-1140266149266776432006-02-18T12:35:00.000+00:002006-02-18T12:35:00.000+00:00What you wrote is absolutely correct, but it's unf...What you wrote is absolutely correct, but it's unfortunate that it often gets distilled (by others) down to "fly faster into a headwind to increase your range."<BR/><BR/>Most single-engine piston aircraft, at least, are usually flying so far above their still-air best-range airspeed that even with a 20 knot headwind, they can often increase their range by slowing down rather than speeding up. Of course, nothing will increase the endurance of the pilot's bladder (or patience), so few pilots would want to do this outside of an emergency.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com