Glide Distance Calculator
Work out how far you can glide from your height above the ground, glide ratio and wind. A 9:1 aircraft at 6,000 ft above the ground glides about 8.9 NM in still air, but only about 6.3 NM into a 20 kt headwind at 70 kt.
Planning estimate. Turns, configuration, a windmilling propeller and weight all reduce range. Use the glide chart in your aircraft flight manual.
How it works
- Height above ground = altitude − ground elevation.
- Still-air distance (NM) = height × glide ratio ÷ 6,076.
- With wind: still-air distance × groundspeed ÷ TAS, where groundspeed = TAS − headwind or TAS + tailwind.
- Time aloft = still-air distance ÷ TAS. Sink rate = TAS in ft/min ÷ glide ratio.
Still-air glide range
| Height above ground | 9:1 | 12:1 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,000 ft | 3.0 NM | 3.9 NM |
| 4,000 ft | 5.9 NM | 7.9 NM |
| 6,000 ft | 8.9 NM | 11.8 NM |
| 10,000 ft | 14.8 NM | 19.7 NM |
Keep a margin: plan to arrive over your chosen field with at least 1,000 ft for a circuit and approach, and remember the reachable area is stretched downwind, not a circle.
Read the guide: Glide Ratio and Glide Distance: How Far Can You Glide?
FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3), emergency procedures.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my glide ratio?
In the aircraft flight manual, often as a glide-distance chart. Many light singles are around 8:1 to 10:1.
Why use height above the ground?
The glide ends at the ground, not at sea level. Using altimeter altitude over high terrain badly overstates the range.
Scenario: choosing between two fields
At 5,000 ft above the ground in a 9:1 aircraft with a best-glide speed of 70 kt, still-air range is about 7.4 NM. Field A is 6 NM upwind into a 15 kt wind; field B is 8 NM downwind. Into the wind, groundspeed is 55 kt and range shrinks to about 5.8 NM, so field A is out of reach. Downwind, groundspeed is 85 kt and range grows to about 9.0 NM, so field B is reachable, though with little margin. The closer field is not always the reachable one.
Common mistakes
- Using altimeter altitude instead of height above the landing area.
- Gliding faster than best-glide speed “to get there sooner”: it loses height faster and shortens range.
- Forgetting the height lost in the turn towards the field and in the circuit.