Learning to fly? Before you hop into an airplane, consider trying your hand at a glider first...

1) You can solo at 14.

You can solo a glider at 14 years old and get your private pilot certificate with a glider rating at 16 years old. For airplanes, you can't solo until you're 16, and you can't get your private certificate until 17.

2) It's less expensive.

Flying a glider is pretty affordable. Many gliders start at $35/hr, and some gliders are charge a flat rate for each tow. Learning to fly in a Cessna 172 is typically over $100/hr.

3) This sound.

4) You learn a lot about energy management.

When you don't have an engine, you need to find thermals or orographic lift to keep you in the air. And if you don't have either, you need to make sure you have enough energy to get back to the airport.

5) You learn to fly coordinated AT ALL TIMES.

Many gliders have a piece of yarn attached to the canopy to help (and remind) pilots to stay coordinated. Uncoordinated flight means more drag, and less time in the air.

6) The transitioning to powered airplanes is easy.

We've never met a glider pilot who couldn't easily transition to flying a powered airplane.

7) This view.

Because there's nothing quite like sitting in a bubble canopy in near silence.

Want to learn more about gliders?

We interviewed three gliding experts to learn more about how they catch lift. Listen in to what they had to say: