Gliders stay up by centering themselves in rising bubbles/columns of air and then circling. Hopefully, this air is rising faster than you're falling and you can go up. Thermals are created because the sun creates 'hot spots' on the ground. These hot spots warm the air immediately above them, which then starts to rise as a 'bubble' of warm air or a column if it is stronger. The height gained by circling in this thermal is then used t o fly to the next thermal, often at speeds of over 150 mph, covering long distances during flights that can last for several hours, the average cross country speeds usually far exceed the speeds attainable by car (and you thought gliding was quiet and slow?!).

When the wind reaches a hill or mountain, air is deflected upwards. Gliders can use this lift to stay up all day even when there are no thermals. This affect can be used to provide an alternative form of lift to thermals and has the advantage that it continues throughout the winter. When certain atmospheric conditions exist the air deflected over a hill can bounce up again forming a standing wave. You may have seen a similar effect down stream of rocks in fast flowing water. 'Lee' waves can reach many times the height of the original hill and gliders can use these waves to reach vast heights, the British altitude record is over 36,000 feet (see "Capabilities" below).

Glider Capabilities:

You can fly locally, solo or with a friend, or take your lunch with you and fly away cross-country, maybe racing other gliders in a competition at speeds of up to 150 mph better suits you, or see how high you can climb. Gliders can, in the right conditions, climb faster and much higher than most powered light aircraft. They can stay up longer too, flights of seven hours are a regular occurrence in the UK. Bigger clubs go on expeditions to Wales and Scotland to fly in the mountains and to Europe to experience stronger conditions.

Here's an idea of what can be achieved in a glider:

			British Altitude Record...............over 37,000ft
			British Distance Record.................over 1000km
			British 300km triangular speed rec......over 117kph
			World Altitude Record.................over 49,000ft
			World Distance Record...................over 2000km
			World 300km tri speed record............over 169kph