Lift (soaring)
![Example of a thermal column between the ground and a cumulus](/Images/godic/202502/20/Thermal_column.svg4443.png")
![A Scimitar glider ridge soaring in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania USA](/Images/godic/202502/20/RidgeSrn4444.gif")
![A lenticular cloud produced by a mountain wave](/Images/godic/202502/20/Lenticular44444.jpeg")
![Schematic cross section through a sea breeze front. If the air inland is moist, cumulus often marks the front.](/Images/godic/202502/20/SeaBreeze.svg4444.png")
Lift is a meteorological phenomenon used as an energy source by soaring aircraft and soaring birds. The most common human application of lift is in sport and recreation. The three air sports that use soaring flight are: gliding, hang gliding and paragliding.