volplane

American  

[vol-playn] / ˈvɒlˌpleɪn /

verb (used without object)

volplaned, volplaning

1. to glide toward the earth in an airplane, with no motor power or with the power shut off.

---

noun

1. a glide in an airplane.

Other Word Forms

• volplanist
  noun

---

Etymology

Origin of volplane

1905–10; < French vol plané glided flight, equivalent to vol flight (noun derivative of voler < Latin volāre to fly) + plané, past participle of planer to glide ( see plane ¹)

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

volplane volplaned volplaning

Meanwhile Sir Alan Cobham had been forced by a faulty spark plug to volplane to earth near Nuneaton.

From Time Magazine Archive

Before the hitherto climbing air-craft began diving tail downwards, he regulated the elevating planes, and a long volplane ensued.

From The Submarine Hunters A Story of the Naval Patrol Work in the Great War by Edward S. Hodgson

To volplane from such a height and at such speed is almost the keenest test of courage that can be put upon a man who for the first time seeks to emulate the bird.

From Ruth Fielding Homeward Bound A Red Cross Worker's Ocean Perils by Alice B. Emerson

Andy attempted some volplane skits that were fairly hair-raising.

From Airship Andy or The Luck of a Brave Boy by Frank V. Webster

“We’ll have to volplane to some land if we can, and if we can’t we must take our chances for it in the water,” was Roy’s grim reply.

From The Girl Aviators and the Phantom Airship by Margaret Burnham

She volplaned, flattened out a thousand feet or so above the island, circled as the searchlight, losing her when she dipped, sought her again with wide sweeping gestures of its accusing white finger.

From The Thunder Bird by B. M. Bower

Others in long slants volplaned toward the hidden sea, miles below the cloud-plain.

From The Flying Legion by George Allan England

So I cut off the ignition and volplaned.

From The Lone Wolf A Melodrama by Louis Joseph Vance

"I have not volplaned much, but it will be all right I think."

From Tom Swift and His Air Glider, or Seeking the Platinum Treasure by Victor [pseud.] Appleton

So they volplaned slowly downward, every eye strained for a safe landing-place.

From Lost in the Air by Roy J. (Roy Judson) Snell

We have the devotees of St. Vitus' dance called Jazz . . . volplaning down the descending scale.

From Time Magazine Archive

He should be able to tell by ear, when volplaning, whether or not he is maintaining sufficient speed to hold it in the air.

From Opportunities in Aviation by Arthur Sweetser

The maneuver was that of volplaning, and has been performed successfully by several aviators whose engines have suddenly ceased to work while in mid-air.

From The Girl Aviators' Sky Cruise by Margaret Burnham

The same evening I attacked two more, and both escaped by volplaning.

From An Aviator's Field Book Being the field reports of Oswald Bölcke, from August 1, 1914 to October 28, 1916 by Oswald Boelcke

He must, to keep from volplaning to the infinite, go down and gnaw his daily bone.

From Unicorns by James Huneker

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---