Introduction

You’ll discover the forces acting on an aircraft during a steady, straight descent—where thrust plays little to no role in a glide, and how adding power changes the nose attitude and descent rate. You’ll also learn about the effects of speed and attitude on descent performance: why flying too fast or too slow can affect efficiency, and how steeper or shallower angles of descent change the way the airplane comes down.

Understanding these principles is crucial for maintaining control and ensuring a safe landing approach. As you develop your skills, you'll become more adept at managing these variables in various flight conditions.