Glider Flight Efficiency and Total Drag Quiz

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Which airspeed is used to determine the minimum sink rate in a glider?

Rough air speed

Best glide speed (correct)

Never exceed speed (VNE)

Stall speed

Which factor(s) affect glider performance during the launch phase, landing, and free flight phase?

Atmospheric pressure and wind

Density altitude and wind

Density altitude and atmospheric pressure (correct)

Design and weather

What happens to glider performance when the barometric pressure drops?

Air density decreases (correct)

Takeoff and climb performance increases

Density altitude decreases

Runway length decreases

What do most performance charts require a pilot to compute?

Density altitude Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can affect the ground roll distance during landing?

Wind gradient Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a tailwind have on the groundspeed for an indicated airspeed during landing?

Increases groundspeed Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended approach to landing during windy and gusty conditions?

Add half of the wind velocity to the approach speed Signup and view all the answers

How does weight affect the takeoff and climb performance of a glider?

Increased weight decreases takeoff and climb performance Signup and view all the answers

Which factor primarily determines the rate of climb for a ground-launched glider?

Strength of the ground-launching equipment Signup and view all the answers

What effect does adding water ballast to a glider have on its best L/D airspeed?

Increases it Signup and view all the answers

What does the polar curve of a glider show?

The glider's sink rate at different speeds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors affect glider performance?

Density altitude, weight, design, and wind Signup and view all the answers

What is the density altitude at an airport with a field elevation of 1,600 feet MSL, an altimeter setting of 29.80, and a temperature of 85 °F?

3,500 feet Signup and view all the answers

What conditions result in a high density altitude?

High elevations, low atmospheric pressure, high temperatures, high humidity, or some combination thereof Signup and view all the answers

How does temperature affect density altitude?

When air is heated, it expands—the molecules move farther apart, making the air less dense Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about crosswinds during glider flight?

Crosswinds result in a lower true groundspeed Signup and view all the answers

What should a glider pilot do when gliding toward an object on the ground in the presence of crosswind?

Keep the nose of the glider pointed somewhat upwind of the target on the ground Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a headwind have on the ground roll during landing?

Shortens the ground roll Signup and view all the answers

What should a glider pilot do when landing in a strong headwind?

Plan for a closer base leg Signup and view all the answers

According to the text, if the weight of a glider is doubled, how much does the stall speed increase by?

40 percent Signup and view all the answers

According to the text, how does the increased weight of a heavy glider affect its ability to climb in a thermal compared to a light glider?

The heavy glider cannot climb as fast as the light glider in a thermal. Signup and view all the answers

According to the text, how does the weight of a glider affect its glide ratio?

The weight of the glider has no effect on its glide ratio. Signup and view all the answers