Using a best glide ratio of 23:1, how many feet would be lost if the glider travels 12 nautical miles?

• A. 3,100 feet
• B. 3,170 feet
• C. 3,300 feet
• D. 3,500 feet

Answer: (B)

A glide ratio tells you how far you can go forward for every foot of altitude you lose. With a 23:1 ratio, you travel 23 units horizontally for each 1 unit of altitude lost. So, for 12 nautical miles, convert distance to feet: 12 NM × 6,076 ft/NM ≈ 72,912 ft. The altitude lost is 72,912 ft ÷ 23 ≈ 3,170 ft. Therefore, at best glide over 12 NM, about 3,170 feet of altitude would be used.