Soaring

Soaring is the art of using naturally generated rising air (“lift”) to stay airborne

We can soar all day long and fly for hundreds of miles using the different types of lift around RAF Shawbury. The main types of lift are:

• Thermal lift - columns of rising air caused by differences in temperature and humidity. We call these columns “thermals”, and their tops can be marked by fluffy cumulus clouds

• Ridge lift - air rising as it is blown against the side of a hill

• Wave lift - where a mountain causes the air downwind of it to oscillate up and down. Wave lift can be marked by long smooth “wave bars” or lenticular clouds

• Convergence - where two air masses collide, forcing the air between them upwards

The lift we use for any flight will depend on where we’re flying and the conditions of the day. By making the most of each type of lift we can keep soaring for hours at a time and travel hundreds of miles, allowing us to reach the Peak District and the Welsh mountains

If you want to learn what flying by the seat of your pants really means, come and learn to soar around the Shropshire countryside with RSGC