Balsa Wood Gliders

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nGoal

nThe goal is to design and build a hand-launching balsa wood glider.

nRestrictions

nThe designer of the balsa wood glider should use glue with a higher rate of drying on the wood. In addition, glue is applied in minimum quantities and excess glue should be removed from the glider. The builder of the glider needs a sandpaper to smoothen the body and wings of the plane to ensure appropriate weight (Baldwin, 2013). The builder should not toss or throw the glider in the process of testing. Further, the builder must avoid flying the balsa wood glider near the overhead lines of power (Rodgers, 2005). In addition, the designers should make more adjustments to the model in order to have a successful flight.

nRequirements

nThe builder needs balsa wood sheeting. Secondly, a 1/2 inch by a 1/2 inch of the balsa wood strip is needed. The designer also needs wood glue (preferably the testors glue) and a sand paper

nDesigning balsa wood glider

nA balsa wood glider applies the principles of flight similar to full-sized glider. For instance, the design involves the shape and size of the wing, the placement of the wing and overall size of the tail (Baldwin, 2013). Balsa wood glider is heavier hence; the design should conserve the weight of the model.

nThe first step in designing encompasses the assessment of shape and size of the wing. The glider applies a simple rectangular shape for the wing. It is crucial to determine the shape since it affects the dimensions for the glider (Baldwin, 2013). Secondly, design the size of horizontal stabilizer. This is calculated using the formula SH (surface area of horizontal stabilizer) = chord length of the main wing in cm times the 1.2 S for the surface area for the main wing area in cm. sq. The horizontal stabilizer is equal to the wing area multiplied by chord area then divided by distance from the center of gravity times 1.2. In this respect, 17” x 17” is applicable in order to fit in an 18” X 18” box. Additionally, the length of the wing should be determined by inserting 17cm into this formula (Carson, & D’Argo, 2003). In most cases after applying the formula, the tail may be too big.

nConsequently, the length of the tail is fixed by reducing the wing chord. In this regard, the wings should be longer to provide enough surface area. Thirdly, is to design a vertical stabilizer. The formula is SV x SP divided by DCG and then multiplied by 0.05 (Baldwin, 2013). SCG and S are the same values used in step 2. The SP is the wingspan and SV is the surface area of vertical stabilizer.

nBuilding balsa wood glider

nThe designer cuts off the part from the balsa sheeting. Fourthly, using the Bernoullis principle the wings are slightly curved and placed on the top of the body determining the CoG to ensure that it is about a quarter of the total wing chords from the leading edge.

nIn addition, the designer should add dihedral of 5-15 degrees with ends of the wing tipped up from the body. The angle of attack of the wing must be 2 degrees. The designer glues the wings in that position and leaves them to dry. Fifth, as calculated in the design of the body, horizontal and vertical stabilizers are glued (Baldwin, 2013). Sixth, the sizes of the body are cut to fit the scale of the model after stabilizers and wings addition.

nEighth, the designer should sand the final shape of the glider. The designer should start with the edges but the inner edges of the two halves should be avoided (Rodgers, 2005). In addition, the following parts of the glider should be avoided including the bottom parts of the vertical stabilizer and areas on the fuselage where the horizontal stabilizers and the wing will be mounted. However, this area is glued together after a short period. The identical pieces are held together as the designer sands in order to maintain an identical shape (Baldwin, 2013). Other parts that are sanded include fuselage and tailpieces until they gain a smooth surface. Eighth, the designer uses a sandpaper to build an airfoil in the wing. The shape of the airfoil should establish a rounded wing along the leading edge (Carson, & D’Argo, 2003). Besides, the area should broaden towards the center and then taper at the point of the trailing edge.

nNinth, using sandpaper the inner edge of the wings is shaped to establish a dihedral shape after gluing the two halves together. The degree of the dihedral is determined from the distance between each wingtip. The designer should make sure that the edge is facing away from him (Baldwin, 2013). Consequently, the wing is supported with a small block at one-half of the wing. This ensures the wing tip is at the right height (Sower, 2011). The designer should use the sanding block to smoothen the inner edge until it is sufficiently flat and perpendicular to the surface of the work.

nAdditionally, the builder should follow the same process on the other half of the wing (Rodgers, 2005). Tenth, the researcher should glue the two halves of the wings together. Further, the designer should build the proper dihedral using blocks under both wingtips. The builder should apply glue on the inner parts of the wings (Baldwin, 2013). However, the designer should remove excess glue. A lightweight is placed close to center joint. The dihedral is measured to make the necessary changes. The designer should allow the glue to dry for a short period.

nThe designer should test whether the glider can fly. The plane is held at the shoulder height with the angle of the nose. The plane is pushed slightly into air. The glider flies straight on the steady air path (Sower, 2011). The designer should add or trim the clay at the nose if the conditions dictate. In case the glider dives of the designers hand, some of the weight in the nose should be removed (Carson, & D’Argo, 2003). In addition, in case the glider flies sharply upwards, then stands and falls into a dive, more weight at the nose is added. Besides, in case the glider swings sharply to the left or right, the designers should bend the back edge of the vertical stabilizers (Baldwin, 2013). This ensures that the glider flies steadily in the straight angle.

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nReferences

nBaldwin, B. (2013). DIY RC airplanes from scratch (1st ed.). Mcgraw-hill professional publishing.

nCarson, M., & D’Argo, L. (2003). The Wright Brothers for kids (1st ed.). Chicago, Ill.: Chicago Review Press.

nRodgers, P. (2005). Crossing Design Boundaries (1st ed.). Hoboken: Taylor & Francis Ltd.

nSower, V. (2011). Essentials of quality (1st ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.