Lift-to-drag Ratio - Examples

Examples

The following table includes some representative L/D ratios.

Flight article Scenario L/D ratio
Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Cruise 37
Lockheed U-2 Cruise ~28
Rutan Voyager Cruise 27
Albatross 20
Boeing 747 Cruise 17
Common Tern 12
Herring gull 10
Concorde M2 Cruise 7.14
Cessna 150 Cruise 7
Helicopter 100 kts speed 4.5
Concorde Approach 4.35
House Sparrow 4


In gliding flight, the L/D ratios are equal to the glide ratio (when flown at constant speed).

Flight article Scenario L/D ratio / Glide ratio
Modern Sailplane gliding 45-70 (depending on span)
Hang glider 15
Gimli glider Boeing 767-200 with fuel exhaustion ~12
Paraglider high performance model 11
Powered parachute Rectangular/elliptical parachute 3.6/5.6
Space Shuttle Approach 4.5
Wingsuit Gliding 2.5
Northern flying squirrel Gliding 1.98
Space Shuttle Hypersonic 1
Apollo CM Reentry 0.368


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