Definition
The horizontal distance an airplane can travel through the air after a loss of engine power, while descending from its current altitude to the ground at its best glide speed and configuration.
Plain English
How far the airplane can travel forward without engine power before it reaches the ground.
Context Anchor
You use this idea when deciding whether the airplane can reach a runway or landing area during a power-off glide, especially when wind is changing your path over the ground.
Derivation
Glide comes from an old word meaning to move smoothly. In aviation, it points to the airplane continuing forward while descending, rather than simply dropping straight down.
Why Pilots Care
It tells the pilot whether a suitable landing spot is reachable after an engine failure.
Grounding Statement
From the same height, the airplane may cover less ground into the wind and more ground with the wind, even if it is flying the same glide through the air.
Intuition Check
Do not assume gliding distance is a fixed number for the airplane. It changes with height, wind, airspeed, and airplane setup.
Example Sentence 1
After the engine quit, the pilot quickly checked altitude and picked a field well within gliding distance.
Example Sentence 2
A strong headwind shortened the gliding distance over the ground even though the air distance remained the same.