Soaring through the sky with the wind beneath your wings has a whole new meaning when the way you fly, your skill, and how the weather and wind patterns hold the plane, affect your ability to stay airborne. There is little between you and  the ground but long wings and the sleek body of a glider.  It is often referred to as sky sailing because the sailplane glides soundlessly like an eagle in flight.  There are differences between flying an engine-driven plane and a glider - the main one is pedal and stick action, which is almost continual as you make minute changes to stay on optimal thermals and on course.  But if you have the right day, sunny and with great climbing winds, and an excellent instructor, you can sail through the sky for hours.

On this trip, flying over No Name Mountain in Warner Springs, CA, I was lucky enough to find a thermal tucked over a small portion of the mountain.  Circling around, it lifted the plane over 600 feet as it took the plane ever upward.  The view was incredible and there was a buffeted sound of air on the cockpit glass as the course was changed to head back toward the airport.