Gliding

Gliding is an activity and sport in which pilots fly unpowered aircraft known as gliders or sailplanes using rising air to stay in the air. The word 'soaring' is also used for the sport.

Air will rise if it is heated by the ground or if it is deflected by mountains. Improvements in aerodynamics, in instruments and in the understanding of the weather have allowed flights over great distances at high speeds. The world record distance is now over 3000 km.