How do Gliders Fly?

The basic operation of a glider is the same as any other aircraft. Lift is created by the wings as they move through the air. The biggest difference is that the pure gliders don't have any engines, and so it relies on natural forces in the air to stay aloft.

Because gliders have no power of their own, they must be launched into the air, using some other ways. We usually use a winch. Another way is to use a powered aircraft (tug).

Using natural forces or energy, that creates rising air (lift), gliders can stay in the air for many hours at a time and fly away.

The common types of lift a glider pilot uses are shown below. It can't be seen of course, but there are indications as to where lift might exist, such as land features and clouds, and it is these that the glider pilots look for.

Thermals are formed by the sun heating the ground, which in turn heats the air above it, causing it to rise. Gliders can use this rising air by circling in it and gain height.

What the pilot mainly looks for are:

Clouds that are growing
Darker patches of land
Birds circling
and of course other gliders circling!

Until you can fly with yourself!

Beginning trainers fly along with the instructor, and you will remember how to maneuver a glider. Rudder is connected in front of the seat and the back of the seat, and instructor can maneuver at any time.

What is needed in the handling of the glider is slowly, it is to move little by little.

〈Course of practice〉

１．Straight Flight

It seems very easy, but actually it's not easy because the air in the sky always move around and you have to know the motion of the wind and keep flying straight. And also you have to keep the air speed of your glider.

２．Turning

If you can't turn, you can't go where you want to go and you have to catch the up wind. Therefore, turn is very important for glider. Using aileron and rudder well, you have to turn writing true circle in the air. Also you practice of flying like the Letter of "S" and "8" courses.

３．Take off!

If you will have been able to maneuver basic control of glider, you will take off glider with yourself. Watching the scenery around you and keep the same angle. You have to control smoothly not to change glider's attitude rapidly.

４．Landing♪

You may want to fly forever, but you have to land on the ground eventually. You have to be careful many things in the same time. You have to change angle to the straight to the runway, control the speed and angle of the pass.

５．Recover from dangerous situations.

If you are able to come to this point, basically you can fly gliders yourself. However, the other party is a natural, by a steep airflow change, it may glider shakes violently. In addition, the aircraft will not be able to deny the possibility that becomes abnormal posture by excessive operation and trouble.

Even at the time of such abnormalities, not to be a panic, calmly so that you can deal with, creating a dare unusual posture, do the training that to recover.

６．You can fly by yourself for the first time!

Getting enough skill, you can fly for the first time by yourself, what is called "first solo." You will be able to fly alone in about a year if you are smart.

All of the aircraft that are in the sky landed, and prepare in a safe state. While watching the instructor and other staff, it will fly away one person. Even though it is full of anxiety and tension, for the first time joy to fly alone can not be changed in any thing.　