sailplaned

Flew without power

Sailplaned is the past tense of sailplane, meaning to fly in a motorless glider that uses rising air currents to stay aloft: We sailplaned over the valley for hours.

The activity emphasizes soaring skill over powered flight.

movement

glided

Moved without apparent effort

driftedMoved without aim
floatedStayed above water
coastedMoved on momentum

swept · arced · banked · circled · descended · swooped · skimmed · slipped · cruised · effortless

flight

glider

Unpowered flying craft

thermalsWarm air columns
updraftsAir moving skyward
liftMechanism for vertical transport

altitude · winch · cross-country · unpowered · graceful · airborne · circling · climbing · descending · landing

atmosphere

thermals

Warm air columns

updraftsAir moving skyward
headwindWind against travel direction
tailwindBreeze moving your direction

crosswind · turbulence · lift · sink · cumulus · convergence · calm · still · quiet · silent

aircraft

cockpit

Pilot's control compartment

canopyOverhead protective covering
fuselageAircraft's central structure
wingspanTip-to-tip extent

ailerons · rudder · elevator · winglet · airbrakes · spoilers · altimeter · streamlined · sleek · fiberglass

Opposites

propulsion method

sailplanedpowered

Supplied with energy

motored · jet-propelled · rocketed · turbocharged · throttled

movement type

sailplanedwalked

Traveled on foot

drove · crawled · grounded · taxied

altitude/direction of movement

sailplanedplummeted

Fell straight down fast

crashed · nosedived · dove · descended · fell

Family

sailplane, sailplanes, sailplaning

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G