Is it possible to fly a projectile by using a spring ?

Question

the projectile will be a very light object (plastic) & it will have to cover a very few (4m / 5 m) distance.

Answer 1

Yes, it would be possible to launch a plastic projectile (ca. 200 grams) a distance of 4-5 meters on a ballistic trajectory using only a spring.

Answer 2

It's not only possible it has been done. The little suction tipped dart guns do it all the time. They are powered by a spring and shoot a plastic shaft with a suction cup tip.  

Answer 3

That would have to be one heck of a big spring to store that much energy.

Answer 4

You have a trade off between the weight of the spring and the desired range.  I'm not sure if your distance is miles or meters.  Since I'm American, the use of m implies miles.  If you mean meters, the person above me is quite correct.  Perhaps a spring could provide enough force to allow the plane to reach sufficient altitude so that prevailing winds and updrafts could do the rest of the work. May I suggest a long wingspread if you attempt this strategy.  Otherwise I doubt seriously if such a contraption would work.

Answer 5

you wanna make a NERF gun :)  they are spring loaded

Answer 6

yes, gliders can be launched using a string system. the glider does the actual flying though. the spring is just there to give the glider that extra bit of momentum.

Answer 7

Wiki 'catapult`, or 'onager`, or' bow and arrow`.

4 or 5 Meters yes, easily.

Large catapults typically ranged 200 Meters.

Answer 8

yes, it can easily be done