Recreation vs. Sport

While recreational glider enthusiasts enjoy the freedom, scenic views and sheer enjoyment of controlling the planes, others compete, or practise competing, by flying as quickly as possible around a circuit defined by "turning-points". These competitions test the pilots' (and, in two-seat gliders, the co-pilots') ability to recognise and make use of local weather conditions, their flying skills and navigational abilities. There are also glider aerobatics competitions.