thermal flying

Thermal flying involves using rising air currents called thermals to stay aloft without much engine power. Thermals are warm, upward-moving columns of air caused by the Sun heating the Earth's surface unevenly. Pilots, especially in gliders, circle within these thermals to gain altitude, allowing them to cover long distances smoothly and efficiently. Essentially, it’s like riding upward drafts that nature provides, enabling sustained flight without needing engines. Skilled pilots can identify and use thermals to extend their flight time and distance, making thermal flying an important technique in soaring aviation.