If operating at 8,000 feet, what is the approximate glide distance?

When considering glide distance, it is important to understand the relationship between altitude and the distance an aircraft can travel while gliding. A general rule of thumb for glide ratios is that an aircraft can travel approximately 2 nautical miles (NM) for every 1,000 feet of altitude lost.

At 8,000 feet, you would expect the glide distance to be around 16 NM (calculated as 8 x 2 NM). However, various factors such as wind conditions, aircraft type, and specific glide characteristics can influence this number, often resulting in a different practical glide ratio. In many cases, pilots consider a more conservative glide ratio, which could lead to estimating a glide distance around 12 NM, taking into account real-world factors such as airspeed, lift, and drag that can affect performance.

This reasoning aligns with the glide behaviors of common aircraft and practical estimates in flight training. Therefore, recognizing these influences helps confirm that the approximate glide distance at 8,000 feet is typically around 12 NM.