1. What Makes a Good Glider Louie Turek aerospace_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

9. The Tail is VERY Important!

10. No Tail Means No Stability

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

12. Canards, efficient but possibly unstable

13. Flying wing, more efficient but almost guaranteed unstable

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

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

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

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

19. 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 6 and 10 ounces (including 2.1 ounces of marbles)
Total of 4 flights, score is total distance glided
If the glider breaks apart, score reduced 25% 19

20. 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

21. Good luck! Louie Turek aerospace_pilot@yahoo.com