noun
glider; sailplane
Aircraft designed to fly without an engine, relying on air currents. The term is technical but understood in general contexts.
彼は滑翔機で空を飛ぶのが趣味だ。
His hobby is flying in the sky with a glider.
滑翔機はエンジンを使わずに長距離を移動できる。
Gliders can travel long distances without using an engine.
General term for 'airplane'; 滑翔機 specifically refers to unpowered aircraft.
Compound of 滑 (glide) + 翔 (soar) + 機 (machine). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji directly reflect the function of the aircraft.