Elastic Launch Glider SOSI 2012 Matt Chalker

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

Chord Span

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 – 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: Covering material, Teflon washers, winders, various tools: Bulk Balsa: