Ideal glider model?

Question

Ive got a science project, i need to create a glider out of mostly recycled materials.

The one that flies the furthest wins, apparently they've appeared in other villeges before.

Any tips?

Answer 1

its not always easy to get your hands on it but balsa wood would be good for it. i'm sure you could pick up some recycled balsa wood somewhere.

hints and tips on design aspects....well, where to start?

make it quite big so its more stable. this will make it fly better, but u might need to throw it harder. lol also, try and stick the wings on to the fuselage not perfectly straight but in a sort of V shape, just a tiny bit though, so that its barley noticeable. this will also help with stability.

the wight distribution is a big issue here, believe it or not. you want the weight to act down from roughly in the front quarter of the wing chord. so basically, hold your wings, when youve got 'em stuck on good and strong, roughly a quarter of the way back from the front of the wings, and try to balance the model. if it leans back, theres too much weight at the back, if it leans forward, theres too much weight on the front. if theres too much at the back stick blu-tac or something on to the nose, be creative. if it leans forwards, shave some off the front. this will give you a rough idea.  when u have it flying, if the centre of gravity (where the weight acts from) acts too far back, it will not fly straight but go upwards and hence loose kinetic energy, then it'll stall and crash. lol. if its too far forward it'll just plummit towards the ground. you want it going in a straight line, then itll go furthest.

also, as obvious as this may seem, make it symettrical left and right. lol. have fun and good luck!