Like early aviators, you can learn from building gliders.
Balsa wood gliders are among the simplest of model airplanes. Many of our earliest aviators built gliders to learn about aerodynamics and gliders can teach you a lot too. But to build a high performance glider that can win competitions is remarkably challenging. To win an endurance flight contest you need to build a plane that is light and strong, features well-formed flying surfaces and is appropriate to your arm strength and abilities.
Instructions
1. Find an appropriate plan. The glider you choose should be a proven design. Most plans include the original builder's best flight times on them. If you are a beginner, build a model suitable for beginners or you may have trouble making your plane perform. See References for archives of glider plans.
2. Create templates. Photocopy the plan and glue it to a piece of tag board. Cut out each part separately.
3. Place your templates on the appropriate sheets of balsa according to the plan. Trace around each part with sharp pencil. Cut out the parts with a modeling knife. Don't press too hard with the knife. Instead, take several passes to cut through thick balsa.
4. Sand the flying surfaces. Sand the tail pieces smooth and then "feather" or taper to the edges. Sand the wing surfaces to the airfoil shape provided on the plan.
5. Create dihedral. The wing pieces will fit together at angles which force the wingtips to be above the center of the wing. This is called dihedral and gives the plane stability. To create a proper dihedral joint, sand the edge of the wing part with a sanding block, propping the wing part at the proper angle with a block.
6. Assemble the plane and glue pieces together. To keep the plane's weight down, use as little glue as possible to create strong joints. Use weights to hold pieces firmly together until the glue dries.
7. Apply sanding sealer. Sanding sealer will give the plane a smooth surface which will help improve performance. Brush on a light coat of sanding sealer, sand the plane with fine sandpaper, brush on another coat and sand lightly again.
8. Spray paint the wingtips a fluorescent orange color so that when your plane disappears into bushes or long grass you will be able to find it. Use a light coat of paint to save weight.
9. Balance the plane. The plan should provide a center of gravity. Weight the nose of the plane until it balances when you hold it at its center of gravity.
10. Test fly and trim the plane. Glide the plane gently. Adjust the tail surfaces by gently bending them until you achieve a flat glide that curves gently to the right or left.
11. Trim the plane for endurance flying. Try launching the plane up and into the wind. It should rise sharply, recover near the top of its climb and fly in a circle back to the ground. Adjust the flight surfaces and balance until you achieve an ideal flight. See References 3 for tips.
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