Flight Instructor for Airplane Category › X. Slow flight, Stalls, and Spins › Task B. Demonstration of Flight Characteristics at Various Configurations and Airspeeds (ASEL and ASES)

AI.X.B.K7d

Knowledge

Airspeeds specific to the airplane for various operations, how to identify them on the airspeed indicator (if applicable), and their significance in airplane performance, including:

Best glide speed

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Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge p. 7-7
Chapter 7: Aircraft Systems › Propeller Overspeed in Piston Engine Aircraft
particular aircraft model involved in this incident. This evaluation indicated that an airspeed lower than the best glide speed would have resulted in increased thrust enabling the pilot to maintain level flight. There are numerous variables in aircraft, engines ... propellers that affect aircraft performance. For some aircraft models, the published best glide speed may not be low enough to generate adequate thrust for a given propeller installation in this situation (propeller blades at low pitch stop position). The operators…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 9-28
Chapter 9: Approaches and Landings › Emergency Approaches and Landings (Simulated)
landing may be given with the airplane in any configuration. If the simulated power failure occurs while above best glide speed, the pilot allows the airplane to slow (or may even bleed ... speed by climbing) until reaching best glide speed. When reaching that speed, the nose can be lowered and the airplane trimmed to maintain that speed. If the failure occurs at or below best glide speed, the nose should be lowered…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 3-23
Chapter 3: Basic Flight Maneuvers › Glides
best glide airspeed if the benefits are to be realized. A stabilized, power-off descent at the best glide speed is often referred to as normal glide. The beginning pilot should memorize the airplane’s attitude and speed with reference ... differences between normal and abnormal glides. Abnormal glides are those glides conducted at speeds other than the best glide speed. Glide airspeeds that are too slow or too fast may result in the airplane not being able to make…