soaring flight
Riding thermal currents
Soaring flight is a mode of aviation—natural or mechanical—that uses rising air currents rather than powered thrust to gain or maintain altitude.
Birds like hawks and eagles soar on thermals; glider pilots seek the same updrafts.
The term emphasizes effortless, sustained flight: The condor's soaring flight carried it miles without a single wingbeat.
- raptorHunting bird with talons
- albatrossLong-winged oceanic bird
- eagleLarge predatory bird
- bird of preyCarnivorous flying hunter
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
thermal currents · airfoil · frigatebird · wing loading · osprey · ridge lift · vulture · condor · kettling · drag · wind shear · hang glider · wingspan · updrafts · air current · airborne · coasting · feathers