One of the most fascinating aspects of sport aviation is soaring, the term used for flying gliders, often called sailplanes. Although there are homebuilt, kit-built and ultralight gliders, most are factory built, and have one or two seats. Modern gliders are usually constructed of high-tech plastics, and are designed to do one thing well: stay aloft using the naturally rising air currents found in many places around the world

There are many places to learn to soar. A glider pilot's license is required, but no medical exam is necessary. It usually takes about 25 hours of flying to get a license. To find a place to learn, contact the Soaring Society of America (SSA).

To get airborne, gliders rely on a tow, either from an airplane, a car, or a winch. Modern gliders are so efficient that they can stay aloft in even the weakest updrafts, usually from thermals or ridge lift. For example, a newer glider towed to 2500 feet above the ground could fly more than 17 miles, even without finding any real natural lift (assuming no real natural "sink" either). It's not hard to understand how a glider can stay aloft for hours of quite, non-polluting flight. Another nifty feature of most gliders is that they are portable; the wings and tail can be easily removed, often without tools, and the disassembled glider towed and stored in a trailer.

There are many glider clubs around the world, often sponsoring contests. In the old days, the contests were usually for endurance, Since gliders are so efficient today though, just about anyone can stay aloft all day in soaring conditions. So, modern contests challenge the participants to fly a long course (often a hundred miles or more) around a series of checkpoints. Winners are those who finish the fastest.