Gliding

Gliding (or soaring) is a recreational activity and competitive sport where individuals fly un-powered aeroplanes known as gliders or sailplanes. Properly, the term gliding refers to descending flight of a heavier-than-air craft when gravity (its own weight) is its sole motive force; soaring is the correct term to use when the craft gains altitude or speed from movements of the atmosphere during the flight.

Recreation vs. sport

While recreational glider enthusiasts enjoy the freedom, scenic views and sheer enjoyment of controlling the planes, others compete (up to World Championship level), or practise competing, by flying as quickly as possible around a circuit defined by "turning-points". These competitions test the pilots' (and, in two-seat gliders, the co-pilots') ability to recognise and make use of local weather conditions, their flying skills and navigational abilities. There are also glider aerobatics competitions.

Related Topics:
World Championship level - Aerobatics

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All methods of launching gliders (apart from self-launching motor-gliders) require assistance from other participants and so sailplane pilots band together within clubs to share an airfield and launch equipment, and to maintain high safety standards. Since assistance is also needed to rig and retrieve gliders as well as to train new pilots, there is an important social aspect to the sport.

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