Since the sailplane has no engine, it is launched by towing it behind a powered plane. Takeoff is from a paved runway. The glider pilot decides when to release his end of the tow rope. If only 'still air' is found, the glider will come down at a predictable rate... about 15 minutes from 3000 feet above the ground. If the pilot can find rising air, the flight can go on for hours! The most common form of rising air is 'thermal' lift from heated ground. The sailplane can also exploit ridge lift, convergence, or mountain wave lift.
◄soaring first flight►