SOSI 2012 Matt Chalker chalker7@gmail.com Elastic Launch Glider SOSI 2012 Matt Chalker chalker7@gmail.com

Wing Horizontal Stabilizer/Stab Fuselage Ballast Vertical Stabilizer Fin Rudder Launch Hook

Span Chord

Very similar to AMA event “Standard Catapult Launch Glider” Two Overall Components Glider(s) Flight Log Very similar to AMA event “Standard Catapult Launch Glider”

Construction Rules Maximum Wingspan - 30 cm Maximum of 10.0 Grams, no minimum Only wood, foam, covering, carbon, glue and ballast allowed Launched with a rubber band

Flight Log Minimum of 10 entries Minimum of 4 data points Peak height Length of launch loop Flight Time Any one other 10% deduction for incomplete log, 30% for none Most important part of practice and competition!

Construction - General Anticipate building many gliders throughout the year Priorities 1 Build quality/trueness/straightness 2 Strength 3 Weight 4 (and a distant number 4) Design

Construction - Details Use Carbon Fiber for reinforcement Strong in Tension Only! Fuselage Ideal Spot Foam Meat Trays Light Wings Center of Gravity Critical

Glider “Secrets” All about Sink Rate Height achieved critical Seconds/Ft ~1 s/ft is good Combination of weight and lift Weight – Wood Selection, Build Quality Lift – Trim, Build Quality, Design Height achieved critical Design will change (heavily) based on venue

Flying - Basics Trim for lowest sink rate Stall – Too much lift Wave pattern on descent Dive – Too little lift Goes down to fast Adjust CG with Ballast Adjust Incidence by bending wood Increased wing incidence increases lift Decreased stab incidence increases wing incidence

Links LOTS of information: legacy.amaglider.com Forums: www.scioly.org Covering material, Teflon washers, winders, various tools: www.f1d.biz Bulk Balsa: www.lonestar-balsa.com, www.nationalbalsa.com, www.specializedbalsa.com www.indoorduration.com, www.indoorfreeflight.org, www.indoornews.com, www.indoorspecialties.com