This is not correct. Modern jets are very aerodynamically clean and glide quite well thank you. Lets not exaggerate the seriousness of the situation beyond reality.


See "Gimli Glider" ( aka Air Canada Flt 143)

See the story of Air Transat Flt 236 pumping all fuel overboard mid-ocean due to an undiagnosed fuel leak and landing as a glider in the Azores.

And don't forget the recent ditching into the Hudson. That was a most excellent glider flight ending in a fine landing in the safest place available.

All airplanes are gliders at heart. Bricks are just projectiles.

18:1 glide ratio is a number that comes to mind for jets. I've flown sailplanes with a much worse glide ratio.

It's not the glide characteristics that are the problem. It's the uncertainty about where the aircraft might revert to unplanned gliding as well as any additional damage due to engine spontaneous disassembly that can cause really big issues.

Gliding is GOOD! (says the former glider flight instructor)