Glider

pinshape

Summary My attempt at creating a hand-thrown glider that travels the greatest distance. Instructions This prints flat on the bed, with sculpted wings designed to provide lift. The first print (pictured and file name V01.stl) spins out of control when thrown, with the nose rising upwards due to excessive lift. I added blue-tac to the nose to increase weight, achieving a successful flight of 10 meters or so with minimal force. V02.stl features a broader, heavier body, but still spirals out of control when thrown. Adding weight to the nose no longer produces the same results as V01. Back to the drawing board! V03.stl is designed to test the optimal wing placement in relation to the plane's body. V04.stl explores the impact of the angle of attack on aerodynamics. V05.stl combines lessons from V03 and V04, along with research into real-life gliders, creating a 3-part model that still requires blue-tac to fly but shows promise. V06.stl is similar to V05, but features a broader front wing, resulting in excessive lift. This experience has been incredibly enlightening, with rapid prototyping and learning about flight mechanics sparking ideas for educational projects. Next steps involve combining these lessons into an 'educational' model that allows students to adjust one variable at a time, exploring the mechanics of flight through hands-on experimentation.