sailplaning
Soaring without engines
Sailplaning is the sport or activity of flying a sailplane—an unpowered aircraft that glides on air currents.
The term is synonymous with gliding or soaring: We went sailplaning over the mountains.
Pilots seek thermals and ridge lift to stay aloft without an engine.
Unpowered flying craft
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
glidepath · cross-country · wingspan · airfoil · fuselage · cockpit · canopy · launch
Upward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- cumulusDense, billowing cloud type
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
convergence · core · instability · climb rate · ridge lift · bubble · cloudbase · trigger
Total lack of sound
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- weightlessnessAbsence of apparent mass
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
ethereal · graceful · effortless · floating · drifting · circling · sky · cloudscape
Intense joyful excitement
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
- escapeFlight from captivity
- liberationRelease from constraint
- unboundNot tied down
openness · independence · free-spirited · unfettered · limitless · unbridled · release · empowerment
glider
Unpowered flying craft
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
airspeed · glidepath · cross-country · wingspan · airfoil · fuselage · cockpit · canopy · launch · landing
updraft
Upward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- cumulusDense, billowing cloud type
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
buoyancy · convergence · core · instability · climb rate · ridge lift · bubble · cloudbase · trigger · atmospheric conditions
silence
Total lack of sound
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- weightlessnessAbsence of apparent mass
suspension · ethereal · graceful · effortless · floating · drifting · circling · sky · cloudscape · meditative
exhilaration
Intense joyful excitement
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
- escapeFlight from captivity
- liberationRelease from constraint
unbound · openness · independence · free-spirited · unfettered · limitless · unbridled · release · empowerment · autonomy
aviator
One who pilots aircraft
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- controlsOperates or regulates
- navigationDetermining position and course
rudder · aileron · elevator · trim · harness · parachute · logbook · license · training · solo
sailplaningdiving
Entering water deliberately
descending · grounded · plummeting · taxiing · earthbound
sail, planing, plane, soaring, gliding, sailplane, sailplanes, sailplaned