Õhuspordi

Õhuspordi is the Estonian term for air sports. This broad category encompasses a variety of sports that involve flight using natural or artificial means. These activities often combine elements of sport, recreation, and adventure, requiring specialized equipment and varying degrees of training.

Common air sports include parachuting, where participants jump from aircraft and descend using a parachute, and skydiving, a more acrobatic form of parachuting. Hang gliding and paragliding involve using unpowered wings to glide through the air, relying on wind currents for lift. Gliding, a similar sport, uses unpowered aircraft called gliders that are typically towed aloft by a motor or launched from a high point.

Powered aircraft sports, such as aerobatics, involve performing intricate maneuvers in airplanes. Ballooning, using hot air balloons, offers a more leisurely form of aerial exploration. Other air sports might include wingsuit flying, where participants wear a specialized suit to increase lift and glide, and paramotoring, which combines paragliding with a backpack motor.

Participation in air sports generally requires a good understanding of meteorology, aerodynamics, and safety procedures. Training is usually provided by certified instructors through specialized schools or clubs. The appeal of air sports lies in the freedom of flight, the sense of adventure, and the unique perspective they offer of the world below.