soaring

Soaring is a form of flight in which an animal or aircraft stays aloft by exploiting rising air currents rather than using continuous propulsion. The aim is to gain altitude or to maintain height with minimal energy expenditure.

In nature, soaring is common among birds such as hawks, eagles, vultures, albatrosses and condors, which have long, efficient wings. They locate favorable air currents and glide on their lift, often circling to gain altitude before gliding forward.

Sources of lift include thermals, ridge lift, mountain waves and dynamic soaring. Thermals are buoyant columns of warm air formed over sunny ground; ridge lift arises when wind is deflected upward by a slope; mountain waves create alternating updrafts and downdrafts on the lee side of mountains; dynamic soaring uses strong wind gradients, typically over water, to extract energy from airspeed.

In human aviation, soaring refers to unpowered flight in gliders or sailplanes. Pilots search for lift, then circle or move along lift bands to stay aloft and travel long distances or achieve extended durations. Soaring is practiced competitively and recreationally.

The study of soaring informs ecology, meteorology and the design of efficient light aircraft, including wing shapes and flight dynamics that maximize lift and minimize drag.