sailplanes
Engineless soaring craft
Sailplanes are engineless aircraft designed to soar on rising air currents.
Unlike hang gliders, sailplanes have enclosed cockpits and rigid wings, allowing sustained flight over long distances.
Pilots seek thermals and ridge lift to gain altitude: The sailplane circled in the thermal, climbing steadily.
Also called gliders, though sailplanes are specifically optimized for extended soaring rather than brief descents.
Aircraft's central structure
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- wingletUpturned aircraft tip extension
- aileronWing-mounted roll control
rudder · elevator · flaps · airbrakes · spoilers · tailplane · monocoque · composite
Move with effortless continuity
- soarAscend to heights
- ascendMove upward
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
lift · drag · airborne · climb · descent · landing · takeoff · cross-country
Upward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- cumulusDense, billowing cloud type
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
column · cloudbase · convergence · rotor · trigger · centering · circling
Producing no sound
- quietLacking in sound
- peacefulFree from disturbance
- sereneUntroubled and composed
- tranquilCalm and untroubled
weightless · graceful · meditative · birdlike · floating · drifting · stillness · solitude
fuselage
Aircraft's central structure
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- wingletUpturned aircraft tip extension
aileron · rudder · elevator · flaps · airbrakes · spoilers · tailplane · monocoque · composite · fiberglass
glide
Move with effortless continuity
airspeed · lift · drag · airborne · climb · descent · landing · takeoff · cross-country · distance
updraft
Upward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- cumulusDense, billowing cloud type
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
buoyancy · column · cloudbase · convergence · rotor · trigger · centering · circling
silent
Producing no sound
tranquil · weightless · graceful · meditative · birdlike · floating · drifting · stillness · solitude · panoramic
gliding
Engineless aerial movement
- hobbyRecreational leisure activity
- sportCompetitive physical activity
- clubOrganization with membership
lesson · solo · license · competition · aerobatics · badge · diamond · gold · silver · regatta
bungee
Elastic cord with hooks
- soarerseagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, condors
- model aircraftmodel kits, RC helicopter, quadcopter, model aircraft, glider
- glidingglider, gliders, thermal, thermals, variometer
sailplanesjet aircraft
Turbine-engine-propelled airplane
propeller planes · turboprops · jets · fighter jets · helicopters
sailplaneshot air balloons
Buoyant craft lifted by warmth
blimps · dirigibles · airships · zeppelins · gas balloons