How many feet of altitude do you typically lose during an airstart attempt at the best glide speed?

In a typical airstart attempt at the best glide speed, a pilot can expect to lose around 1200 feet of altitude. This figure is rooted in aerodynamics and the performance characteristics of most aircraft during engine-out scenarios. Best glide speed is designed to maximize the distance that an aircraft can travel horizontally while descending.

When an aircraft experiences an engine failure, the best glide speed optimizes the lift-to-drag ratio, allowing for the greatest distance before reaching the ground. During an airstart procedure, the focus is on managing altitude loss while trying to restart the engine efficiently. A loss of approximately 1200 feet is a realistic estimate based on various flight tests and operational data that account for factors such as aircraft type, weight, and environmental conditions. This amount of altitude loss is critical for pilots to understand, as it influences their decision-making and response in emergency situations.