(L/D)max Aviation Group

In a world where aviation safety has been increasingly important at all levels, (L/D)max Aviation Safety Group realized the need for proper education and efficient training programs at an international level. Not only are we looking to gain a better understanding of aviation standards and processes, but we are seeking to improve them at all levels, therefore enhancing safety programs worldwide.

In an effort to show just how different our company is, we wanted to develop a company name that was meaningful to what we do, hence (L/D)max Aviation. How does the formula represent the goals of our company? The formula indicates a maximum ratio of lift over drag. We are dedicated to maximizing the efficiency of all aviation organizations by identifying shortcomings and applying corrective actions while ensuring that organizations remain viable. Innovative solutions are our application of "lift." Meanwhile, we offer solutions to reduce risk - the "drag" - to the minimum level acceptable to get things done. By maximizing the innovation and reducing the risk we reach the maximum lift over the remaining drag and find huge benefits to the efforts organizations expend in their safety programs.

At (L/D)max Aviation, we seek new ways to look at old problems. We strive to make organizations self-sufficient in evaluating events, incidents, and accidents in order to minimize their effects. In addition, we seek to develop relationships with organizations to improve aviation safety around the world. In looking at any event, incident or accident, we try to understand when a failure does occur, how the aircraft, the organization, and the industry can each best meet the demands of the event, reduce risk and probability of recurrence, and still remain viable.

Without going too into details with regards to aerodynamics and mathematical calculations, we would like to try to help further explain what (L/D)max means in aviation.

The aircraft wing has a specific Coefficient of Lift (CL) which, depending on angle of attack, produces lift. At the same time, the wing, through a Coefficient of Drag (CD), produces drag at the same angle of attack. These forces occur naturally and we can minimize them, but never eliminate them. The wing's lift/drag ratio, (L/D), is a measure of its efficiency. An aircraft with a high L/D is more efficient than one with a lower L/D. Typical L/D curves are as shown to the left in the graphic.

The highest point on the curve is important. It is called (L/D)max and it occurs at the most efficient angle-of-attack (AOA). It is the maximum amount of lift for the concurrent drag.

Several performance items occur at (L/D)max. One of these is that the best engine(s) out glide ratio occurs here. Because lift is proportional to distance and drag is proportional to altitude, then L/D is proportional to glide ratio (distance/altitude). In a Pilot's Operating Handbook, look under emergency procedures for engine failure, find the recommended glide speed for maximum range - this glide speed is the speed for (L/D)max.

The (L/D)max on a piston aircraft is basically equal to the maximum range speed, which is close to best rate of climb speed. On a jet aircraft (L/D)max gives us the max angle of climb, or minimum drag speed. These are all positive indicators of aircraft performance - they keep things at maximum performance with minimum deterioration.