What Makes a Good Glider Louie Turek aerospace_pilot@yahoo.com
Fundamentals Wing Shape The Importance of a Tail Balance!
Long, thin wings- Good for gliders Smooth airfoil shape is essential for good gliding performance
Wings must be strong enough
Wing Structure Leading edge Trailing edge Folded material with spar inside
Wing sweep- Bad idea for gliders
Dihedral- Helps with Stability
The Tail is VERY Important!
No Tail Means No Stability
Proper Sizing and Balance- The rule of fingers Vertical tail- 10X smaller than wing area Horizontal tail- 5X smaller than wing area
Canards, efficient but possibly unstable
Flying wing, more efficient but almost guaranteed unstable
Forces on a Glider Thrust?????? Lift Gravity is source of thrust Drag Weight
Balance – Center of Gravity Body length ~ same as wingspan Wing ~ ¼ back along body Long Balance Point- Center of Gravity Short
Wrap Up Wing Shape- smooth and broad, but strong enough Tail surfaces- Far back and rule of fingers, lightweight tail Balance!
Wrap Up Check that glider balances Use ballast to correct flight path Practice throwing technique
Rules Review Minimum 24 inch wingspan, maximum 4”x4” body No wheels allowed, no kit materials of any kind allowed, no paper airplanes Must carry 16 marbles, sealed in place in sandwich bag Weight between 6 and 10 ounces (including 2.1 ounces of marbles) Total of 4 flights, score is total distance glided If the glider breaks apart, score reduced 25% 19
Suggestions/Things to Think About Hobby/craft stores for balsa wood Hobby stores have lead edge surface balsa Marbles available at craft stores as well Small balsa gliders for practice Don’t waste material on unneeded things Don’t bother with slot construction
Good luck! Louie Turek aerospace_pilot@yahoo.com