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What Makes a Good Glider Louie Turek aerospace_pilot@yahoo

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.

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What Makes a Good Glider Louie Turek aerospace_pilot@yahoo

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  1. What Makes a Good GliderLouie Turekaerospace_pilot@yahoo.com

  2. Fundamentals • Wing Shape • The Importance of a Tail • Balance!

  3. Long, thin wings- Good for gliders Smooth airfoil shape is essential for good gliding performance

  4. Wings must be strong enough

  5. Wing Structure Leading edge Trailing edge Folded material with spar inside

  6. Wing sweep- Bad idea for gliders

  7. Dihedral- Helps with Stability

  8. The Tail is VERY Important!

  9. No Tail Means No Stability

  10. Proper Sizing and Balance-The rule of fingers Vertical tail- 10X smaller than wing area Horizontal tail- 5X smaller than wing area

  11. Canards, efficient but possibly unstable

  12. Flying wing, more efficient but almost guaranteed unstable

  13. Forces on a Glider Lift Thrust?????? Gravity is source of thrust Drag Weight

  14. Balance – Center of Gravity Body length ~ same as wingspan Wing ~ ¼ back along body Long Balance Point- Center of Gravity Short

  15. Wrap Up • Wing Shape- smooth and broad, but strong enough • Tail surfaces- Far back and rule of fingers, lightweight tail • Balance!

  16. Wrap Up • Check that glider balances • Use ballast to correct flight path • Practice throwing technique

  17. 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 8 and 12 ounces (including 2.1 ounces of marbles) • Total of 4 flights, score is total distance glided • If the glider breaks apart, score reduced 25%

  18. 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

  19. Good luck and don’t hesitate to ask questions!Louie Turekaerospace_pilot@yahoo.com

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