Aviation Dictionary

Lift/drag ratio (L/D)

The efficiency of an airfoil section. It is the ratio of the coefficient of lift to the coefficient of drag for any given angle of attack.

Dictionary Term

Lift/drag ratio (L/D)

Definition

The efficiency of an airfoil section. It is the ratio of the coefficient of lift to the coefficient of drag for any given angle of attack.

References

Airplane Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2021
Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2008