Airplane

An aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets; "the flight was delayed due to trouble with the airplane".

A powered heavier-than-air aircraft with fixed wings from which it derives most of its lift.

Rubber bands work better than electricity!

Rubber bands work better than electricity! Can you believe that? I am not sure that it is true. But besides the fact there are thousands of excellent and affordable electric RC model airplanes, many people still prefer the rubber band powered aircraft. Why is that so? Why do people in 21st century still love simple mechanical toys?

Rubber Band Size

A rubber band supplies enough power to propel a lightweight airplane.

We can conduct an experiment to determine if the type of rubber band determines how far the airplane with travel. Gather several rubber bands in a variety of sizes; look for thick-banded rubber bands as well as long and thin rubber bands. Test each type of rubber band by twisting the airplane's propeller until it cannot be twisted anymore. Release the airplane into the air, and then record the distance traveled by the airplane.

Take-off Height

Young scientists can conduct experiments to determine if the airplane's take-off height correlates to the distance traveled by the rubber band airplane. First test the rubber band airplane by setting it on the ground and measuring the total distance traveled. Repeat the test, raising the airplane's take-off height by two or three feet for each test. Analyze the results to see if there is any correlation between the take-off height and the total distance traveled. Estimate the distance traveled for the next height in the sequence. Consider testing the airplane at a consistent take-off height, but varying the angle at which it takes off. Use a protractor to determine the angel of the airplane's incline. Compare the distance to the angle to determine the optimal angle for take-off.

Airplane Weight
Determine if the airplane's weight affects the distance the airplane travels. First test an unweighted airplane, and record the total distance traveled. Then tape a penny to the center of the airplane and retest several more times. Analyze the results to try and predict the next total flight distance when you add another penny to the airplane.

Types of Airplanes
Does one particular type of airplane perform better than another? Test several different types of rubber band powered airplanes, such as balsa wood or foam, side by side. Consider testing the total distance traveled to take into account any minor variables, such as winder, number of times the rubber band was rotated or the height of the take-off. Analyze the results to determine which type of airplane performs better.

TYPES OF RUBBER BAND POWERED AIRPLANE

News about Rubber-Band Propeller Plane

In 1871, Alphonse Penaud sat in his Paris home dreaming of inventing a flying machine. He worked methodically, experimenting with stability and propulsion, until he perfected the first rubber-band powered airplane.

Avionics has changed since Penaud first dreamed of flying, but that lightweight balsa-wood airplane propelled by the tension of a rubber band is still a favorite toy for children and adults. Children learn about the

fundamentals of flight, basic aerodynamics and the energy in tension when building their first rubber-band powered airplane.

The Pioneer of Rubber Band Powered Plane Alphonse Penaud

1850 - 1880

"The Father of Flying Models," Alphonse Penaud was the first person to build and successfully fly heavier than air rubber band powered model flying machines. He flew his remarkably modern looking Planophore at Tuileries Gardens in Paris, France, on August 18, 1871. The Planophore, powered by a rubber band driven pusher propeller, flew 181 feet in 11 seconds. Penaud is also credited with being the first to employ a cruciform tail (which became known
The rubber band operated Penaud Helicopter Toy - 1870

generally as "Penaud" tails) on his flying models .

Sketch by Orville Wright (drawn 1929) of the rubber band operated Penaud Helicopter Toy of 1878

DESIGN OF THE 1ST RUBBER BAND PLANE

The Penaud Planophore 1871 & 1872

The Penaud Mechanical ird (Ornithopter) - 1871

The Penaud & Gauchot Amphibian - 1876

How Do Rubber Band Powered Airplanes Work

The mechanism is simple and wonderful. Usually there are one or two pieces of elastic rupbber that is twisted before throwing the airplane. When the plane is released, the rubber band starts unwinding to its original position and rotates the propeller. The initial power is given by a crank or just by rotating the propeller The rubber band powered airplanes are usually made of balsa wood or other robust and very light material to ensure the longest possible flight. The size of the propeller, the position of the wings and the entire aerodynamics of

the aircraft are very important because the duration of the powered flight is very short. A well made rubber band airplane can keep flying for some time driven by inertion forces even after the rubber band is unwinded.

Balsa Wood sheath, rubber band, painted aluminum wheels and propeller unit

Can You Make A Rubber Band Powered Airplane?

Yes, a s very ar . rst, y eed a design it should be something simple and have good aerodynamics as already said. Search for rubber band plans online and when you pick one, try to print it out : on tracing paper. his way you will easily cut out the pieces of wood or other material. ollow the instructions and the measures of the plan you have found. Of course you can ust try to replicate the drawing below, but it's not a real plan, it's ust an illustration of how rubber band powered airplanes work.

B yi

y T Fly R

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Building a rubber band model airplane yourself is fun and a little challenging. But if you don't have the time to do it, or ust want to start flying right away, you can buy such aircraft for cheap.

he prices of such airplanes are really low they usually start from $ $3 so wouldn't say doing it yourself saves you any money. here is huge variety of such airplanes on the market, so you can get several models for ust few B

here is also one other option if you want to build the plane yourself, but can't find appropriate drawings or materials, you can choose a rubber band airplane kit. he kits contain all the parts you need to b uild the airplane along with visual instructions. t's much easier to build a rubber band aircraft this way, but it's still more fun than ust buying a ready to fly one.

B s

B yi

y T Fly R

Ai c

Building a rubber band model airplane yourself is fun and a little challenging. But if you don't have the time to do it, or ust want to start flying right away, you can buy such aircraft for cheap. he prices of such airplanes are really low they usually $3 so wouldn't say doing it yourself saves start from $ you any money. here is huge variety of such airplanes on the market, so you can get several models for ust few buck. nd on this price there isn't much research needed. here is also one other option if you want to build the plane yourself, but can't find appropriate drawings or materials, you can choose a rubber band airplane kit. he kits contain all the parts you need to build the airplane along with visual instructions. t's much easier to build a rubber band aircraft this way, but it's still more fun than ust

buying a ready to fly one.

RUBBER BAND POWERED AIRPLANES THAT FLY GREAT

Seeing one of these planes soar gracefully overhead re-defines your perception of the three-dimentional space above. It even redefines us: we are creatures living at the bottom of an ocean of air. A Class of 6th grade students-- over 250 of them every year-- make this project from scratch. Thin strips of balsa wood are challenging to work with, but when the kids put their finished creations to flight there are no words to describe the joy.

Honestly, for all the work finding all the materials, it makes the most sense as a group project. If you are just making one, it makes more sense to buy a simple kit from your local hobby strore.

The latest development to this project is making propellers from balsa wood.

From Plastic Botteles???

The latest development to this project is making propellers from ordinary paper clips and the plastic from 2-liter bottles.

Rubber band driving device for two-propeller model plane

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As seen from icture shown above , the driving device according to the present invention comprises a power rubber band 1 , a wooden skeletal bar 2 , a rubber band winder 3 , a rubber band locator 4 , a power distributor 5 , transmission bars 6 , support bars 7 , a left propeller gear box 8 , a right propeller gear box 9 , left propeller blades 10 , right propeller blades 20 , a propeller space locating bar 30 , and a propelling direction adjuster 40 , wherein the said rubber band winder 3 is connected to an end of the said wooden skeletal bar 2 , said wooden skeletal bar 2 being provided with a rubber band locator 4 , a power distributor 5 and a propelling direction adjuster 40 ; said power rubber band 1 being connected at one end to the said band winder 3 , while its other end is linked to the said power distributor 5 ; provided further are two transmission bars 6 , connected respectively with the said power distributor 5 , as well as the said left propeller gear box 8 and the right propeller gear box 9 ; two support bars 7 are provided connecting to the said power distributor 5 , as well as the left propeller gear box 8 and the right propeller gear box 9 , a propeller space locating bar 30 being further provided with its two ends connected to the said left propeller gear box 8 and the right propeller gear box 9 , respectively, thus forming, together with the said support bars 7 a triangular structure; blades 10 being fixed onto the said left propeller gear box 8 , and blades 20 , onto the said right propeller gear box 9 .

Rubber Band Plane

Info m tion About th Pl n The poly ty ene pl ne i easy to assemble although younger chil ren will need some supervision. The wings and tail are adjustable so that the flight path can be altered. The powerful elastic band is wound via the propeller. 39cm. wi .