sailplane

A sailplane is a specialized glider aircraft designed for sustained, unpowered flight. It has long, narrow wings that create a lot of lift, allowing it to stay airborne by riding on naturally occurring air currents like thermals, ridge lift, and wave lift. Pilots control the sailplane through subtle adjustments, aiming to find and stay within these rising air zones to prolong flight. Without an engine, sailplanes rely entirely on aerodynamic design and atmospheric conditions for flight, making them both a challenging sport and a demonstration of aeronautical skill.