Does leaning whilst gliding reduce altitude?

Does leaning whilst gliding reduce altitude? -

I'm interested to know if using Lean Techniques whilst Gliding reduces your altitude quicker.

The documented effects are an increase in speed and faster depletion of your gliding endurance. However it stands to reason that if you're travelling faster your altitude would be reduced quicker as you're travelling further in a shorter time.

Is this assumption correct? If it is, in order to maximise lateral distance is it more beneficial to not lean forward?

Ref: Glide ratio



Best Answer

You fall at a steady rate while gliding, regardless of how you lean. Leaning forward will increase your horizontal movement speed (at the cost of endurance) and leaning backward will decrease your horizontal movement speed, but you will continue descending at a steady rate.




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