Microlift glider

These are defined as gliders with a take-off mass not exceeding 220 kg (486 lb).

Microlift gliders are a sub-type of the ultralight class, further defined by a wing loading that does not exceed 18 kg/m2 (3.69 lb/ft2).These definitions were adopted for inclusion in the Sporting Code, Section 3, Gliding, effective on October 1, 2004.

[2] In addition to the traditional forms of lift used in the sport of gliding, microlift gliding also aims to exploit non-traditional sources of weak lift.

In typical conditions, conventional sailplanes may be unable to exploit weak vertical movements of air.

However a microlift glider that is specifically designed to have a very low rate of sink and a very small circling radius, may be able to exploit these feeble air movements for sustained flight and may even allow the glider to climb.