That is true, not much difference, still very useful knowledge in anticipation that all (if any) of your emergencies may not happen as low at 500'. After all this thread is not about just being at 500'. I have read a few times on this forum "summoned the sum total of his knowledge and skill". When I think coastal I think ridge lift, might not be much, but that extra little puff of offshore wind blowing up a cliff face might be enough to get you around the headland (at 500') to a beach, but do you fly best L/D or Min sink? Just a little more in the memory bank can not hurt to answer that question. I hope you or I never need it in an emergency...
YES, as an aside the knowledge will also help you save fuel too can never have enough of that stuff
Sorry Mark... what can I say... it is all in here, no point in me trying to repeat it less eloquently:clap:
As I said elsewhere: Gliding is the natural and ordinary state of flight. Just because you add an engine does not change the fact, that at its base level, you are flying a glider.