Definition
Heavier-than-air aircraft that are not engine-driven and sustain flight through the dynamic reaction of the air against their lifting surfaces, using gravity, rising air currents, or a tow for propulsion and altitude.
Plain English
Aircraft without engines. They stay airborne by trading altitude for forward motion, or by riding rising columns of air, after being launched by a tow plane or winch.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA discussions where equipment rules, operating limits, or aircraft categories may treat gliders differently from powered airplanes.
Derivation
From the Old English 'glidan,' meaning to move smoothly and quietly. The name fits: a glider moves through the air without the noise or thrust of an engine.
Why Pilots Care
Gliders fall under different equipment, certification, and operating rules than powered aircraft. A pilot reading FAA material needs to recognize when a passage applies to gliders specifically versus airplanes generally.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a glider is just a toy or paper-like aircraft. In aviation, a glider is a real aircraft category, and some gliders may even have a small engine while still being classified as gliders.
Example Sentence 1
The minimum equipment requirements for gliders differ from those for powered airplanes.
Example Sentence 2
A glider pilot may continue flight with certain non-essential instruments inoperative provided basic airworthiness is maintained.