Maximum Glide and Forced Landing

Glide distance may be varied with Mach to achieve the desired distance. During gliding flight, high rates of descent will be experienced; speed brakes will increase the rate of descent considerably and should only be used at speeds above Mach 1.5. Speeds above Mach 1.5 will usually occur at high altitude and will allow sufficient time to reduce the rate of descent before entering the landing phase.

In case of either inability to retract the speed brakes or inadvertent extension of the landing gear before entering the landing pattern, certain precautions must be observed.