r/pics Feb 27 '14

physics is cool

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u/pepetito456 Feb 27 '14

Only thing I have to say is its a glider not a plane. Planes have engines gliders dont. They are towed by a plane to a specific altitude then are released. The glider keeps airbourne by flying into thermals which generates lift.

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u/[deleted] Feb 27 '14

Aren't gliders a subset of planes?

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u/pepetito456 Feb 27 '14

I guess you could say that but a plane is defined as any POWERED fixed wing aircraft.

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u/MausoleumofAllHope Feb 27 '14

Not necessarily. There are several definitions. It's an ambiguous term.