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Research for the Balsa Wood Glider

Dawn Spencer

Middle Tennessee State University

Aero 1020-002

Professor Mosey

March 3, 2023
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Research for the Balsa Wood Glider

To gain insight on possible strategies for glider construction, the goals, requirements and

restrictions were identified. The goals serve to provide a direction for the project and the

limitations appeal to problem solving skills while setting a standard for the projects. Several

aspects of flight were researched in order to provide the researcher with ideas on how to

approach the challenge of building a glider that would fly the farthest distance.

Project Goals

The goal of the balsa wood glider project is to create a glider that will glide farther than

the other gliders. In addition, the glider must meet a set of requirements. Principles from class

and additional research must be used when designing the glider. The glider must also be sturdy

enough to survive multiple practice tests before the final test. Balance, stability, maintaining lift,

reducing drag, and structural integrity were the main focuses of the research.

Requirements and Restrictions

The gilder that is designed must fit within six criteria. These requirements establish a

place of common ground that allows for all glider to perform similarly. The glider must fit inside

of a box that is 18” by 18” by 6”. This limits how large features that assist in maintaining lift can

be. A propulsion device cannot be used to launch the glider. This source of thrust could give an

edge on other gliders or even be too powerful and damage the glider. Instead, the glider must be

hand thrown.

For construction of the glider, only three materials can be used. The balsa wood, glue,

and modeling clay are the only materials allowed. These materials allow for the glider to be light
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weight but limit durability. Metal cannot be used in the glider either in construction or acting as a

balancing weight. However, the modeling clay can be used to balance the glider.

Glider Information

Many factors must be considered for optimal performance in gilders. Using principles of

aviation is necessary to achieve the longest distance possible. To maintain stability in flight,

knowing the center of gravity and choosing an effective wing assembly will be important. The

center of gravity must be placed under the center of lift. The center of lift is determined by the

placement of the wings. Inversely, the wings will be placed after the center of gravity is

determined to ensure stability along the longitudinal axis in the glider. The center of gravity will

be towards the front of the glider to allow enough room for the stabilizers in the tail. Once the

stabilizers and the main body of the glider is complete the wings can be placed accurately over

the center of gravity. It is important to place the center of lift over the center of gravity because

the glider will pitch in the opposite direction of the offset center of lift, resulting in an early

landing. (Penhill, 2020)

The shape of the wings will establish stability along the lateral axis of the glider. Using a

dihedral tilt in the wings, lift on either wing will return the glider to equilibrium. The slight angle

of the wings generates more lift in one wing when the glider rolls to one side from disturbances

in the air to even out the glider. However, there is one drawback to dihedral wings as Collin

Cutler writes, “Wings with dihedral don't produce lift vertically. Instead, there's a vertical

component, and a horizontal component.” This horizontal component creates drag that makes

flight less efficient. Using too much dihedral angle would create too much drag and show poor
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results in the gliders flight distance. Finding a balance between stability and maintaining speed

will decide how successful the glider is.

Aspect ratio is the comparison of the wings’ length to its width. The comparison between

high and low aspect ratio is “high aspect ratio wings give slightly more lift and enable

sustained, endurance flight, while low aspect ratio wings are best for swift maneuverability.”

(Science Learning Hub, 2011). Since the glider will not need to maneuver, a high aspect ratio is

ideal to sustain flight for as long as possible. Most model glider have an aspect ratio of around

seven to one. This ratio is smaller than larger gliders, can have an aspect ratio of up to eighteen

to one, because the balsa wood glider is limited by materials and speed.

The glider itself must be made from lighter balsa wood. Being lighter and thinner reduces

drag during flight. However, stronger, thicker wood allows for more force to be applied when the

glider is thrown. Finding a balance between strength and reducing weight is necessary to provide

sufficient lift and speed to carry the glider far enough. (Krempetz 2015) Using minimal glue will

also aid in reducing drag. Too much glue will create more rough surfaces along the plane. The

modeling clay most also be minimal or not used at all. The clay is the heaviest material and will

lead to an early landing if used in excess.

Using the information gathered, the construction of a glider can begin. The glider will be

have balance, stability, sustainable lift, reduced drag, and structural integrity. These attributes

target the most basic principles of flight and with any luck will lead to the success of the glider.

Through the design process the execution of these principles will vary and be refined through

multiple prototypes and trials.

References

Penhill, B. (2020, June 28). Where should center of gravity be on a plane? – ProfoundAdvice.

https://profoundadvices.com/where-should-center-of-gravity-be-on-a-plane/

Cutler, C. (2015, May 5). How Dihedral Keeps Your Wings Level. Boldmethod Flight Training.

https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/aerodynamics/dihedral-keeping-your-wings-

level/

Wing aspect ratio. (2011, September 11). Science Learning Hub.

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/302-wing-aspect-ratio

Krempetz, K. (2015, September 1). What It Takes to Make a Good Indoor Glider. AMA Flight

School. https://www.amaflightschool.org/diy/what-it-takes-make-good-indoor-glider