Using a best glide ratio of 27:1, how many feet will be lost if the glider travels 2 nautical miles?

• A. 400 ft
• B. 450 ft
• C. 500 ft
• D. 550 ft

Answer: (B)

Glide ratio tells you how far you can fly forward for each foot of altitude you lose. A best glide ratio of 27:1 means you descend one unit of height for every 27 units you move forward.

For 2 nautical miles, first convert to feet: 2 NM is about 12,152 feet. With a 27:1 ratio, the altitude lost is 12,152 ÷ 27 ≈ 450 feet. So the glider would lose about 450 feet of altitude.