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About as many varieties as there are people who design them. A glider is technically defined as an aircraft that does not depend principally on an engine; in practice, a glider is also defined by its high glide ratio (the ability to travel forward a relatively long distance for an amount of altitude lost). Within that framework categorization depends on the features of interest, but for someone new to the sport, some useful definitions might be:
- Recreational/training gliders. The ability to fly predictably and at slower speeds make these excellent for recreational soaring. May have one or two seats and be constructed from a variety of materials.
- Sailplanes. The "high performance" class of glider. Typically single-seat and manufactured from composite materials. Wings are long, thin and use an advanced airfoil design.
- Open Class. Actually a class defined for competition by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale), this can be read as "anything goes." The most advanced sailplanes fall in this category, with glide ratios approaching 60:1, and are not likely to be seen at your local airport. (The eta is a prime example.)
- Motorgliders. The exception to the rule. As the name suggests, these gliders carry a small engine which can be used for takeoff (self-launch) or prolonging flight in minimal lift.