Aerodynamics Glider Design Project

For my Aerodynamics course I have been given a group project to design and construct a glider that will be able to fly a set distance (200 feet) with a variable payload (between 4 and 18 ounces). I have found this project to be very useful; we are able to take the course information and apply it directly to come up with our own unique design. Not only are we able to make our own design but we will be able to build it as well.

Our group began by doing simple glider analysis on a small scale hobby glider. We modified the wing and tail to observe the change in flight characteristics. In doing so we were able to work through, on a small scale, the same process we will need later on our full scale glider. We also were assigned the task of creating a fuselage that could fit inside the small on campus research wind tunnel. The fuselage needed to be able to hold the small rectangular prism that would be our variable payload for the final design. This mini project helped our group to evaluate fuselage designs and get experimental drag data directly from the wind tunnel.

For our final glider design, we will need to use the methods that we have used on the small scale glider and fuselage to develop a glider that will be able to carry the small payload a distance of 200 feet from a height of approximately 18 feet.

This has been by far the best project experience I have had. Being able to see a project through from concept to the build has been a great experience. Rarely in my education have I had the opportunity to be a part of each phase of the design and development process.