Gleitflugs

Gleitflugs (gliding flights) are flights in which an aircraft moves through the air without engine propulsion. The aircraft, typically a glider or sailplane, relies on gravity and atmospheric lift to gain or maintain speed and altitude. Gliding is practiced as a recreational activity, a competitive sport, and a training method for pilots in powered aviation.

Gliders feature long wings with a high aspect ratio, a streamlined fuselage, and a light structure to maximize lift-to-drag. They are launched by winch, aerotow, or auto-tow. Training gliders are two-seat aircraft used for instruction, while single-seat models are common among more experienced pilots.

Key lift sources are thermal updrafts, ridge lift along hills and coastlines, and mountain waves in stable air. Pilots seek rising air and use a variometer to measure vertical speed and to circle within a lift source to gain altitude before proceeding on their course.

The modern sport emerged in the early 20th century, building on the gliding experiments of pioneering aviators such as Otto Lilienthal. After World War I and into the interwar period, gliding developed rapidly, with international competitions and the International Gliding Commission of the FAI governing records and championships.

Safety and licensing: Glider pilots typically obtain country-specific certificates or ratings. Training emphasizes energy management, stall awareness, weather interpretation, and airspace rules. Gliders operate alongside powered aircraft in shared airspace, so preflight planning and weather assessment are essential.