Gliding Gliding (or soaring) is a sport where competitors fly unpowered aeroplanes known as gliders or sailplanes. Properly, the term gliding refers to descending flight of a heavier-than-air craft when its own weight is its sole motive force; soaring is the correct term to use when the craft gains altitude or speed from the atmosphere during the flight. Goal in competitions is to complete a circuit around designated turning points as quickly as possible; each such circuit is called a task, and several tasks make up a competition. Gliding is organised by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the international federation for air sports, which was founded in 1905. World Championships: Men: Open Class 15m Class 18m Class Standard Class World Class Club Class Women: 15m Class Standard Class Club Class World Aerobatic Championships: Individual Team European Championships: Open Class 15m Class 18m Class 20m Class Standard Class World Class Club Class Defunct Events: Women: 15m Class Standard Class European Aerobatic Championships: Individual Team