Making a Sailplane/Glider, for my leaving cerftificate ?

[cjchaney]

Hi, there, I am a 6th year student in Dublin and I have decided to do a bit of research into what I should do for my leaving certficate construction studies project. One of my ideas is to do a glider. Now I have no experience using or making one of these, so the purpose of this post is to find out some key issues. To determine if this is a realistic project for me to take on. Hopefully you can point me in the right direction to getting a very good mark on my project in a subject i hope to do more than well in . So if you could be so very helpfull as to answer these following questions. It would really make my life a whole lot easier.

#Questions.
1~I would like to make a simple Free flight model. What design would you reccommend for me ?
2~Where can I get detailed blueprints/insructions for this sailplane? To basis my working drawings off.
3~Where can I get the balsa wood for this project and other materials?
4~Do Ineed any specialist tools?
5~How much will the cost be approximately?
6~How many hours will I need to complete the project from start to finish?
7~Do you know of any books/websites/other sources that deal with the issues of glide ratio, resistance and other key issues that deal with glider flight, so I can justify my design in my brief.

If you could answer some or all of these questions that would be pretty sweet. Also if you think that this is to big a project for someone in 6th year to take on, just tell me. My second plane if just to make a stationary model of a bi-plane. Have always wanted a glider and tought what better excuse than to make one for my leaving certificate constructions tuides project.

Also just in dealing with question 1, here is some of the images that I have googled and looked simple to build.
~http://bit.ly/aEYEel
~http://bit.ly/aEYEel

[billscottni]

have a look at the Quick Flick II: http://www.pldaniels.com/flying/models/qfii/

if you've never built a model from balsa it would be an idea to get some help from an experienced modeller.

At a guess, I would say the QFII could be built in about 20 hours by an experienced modeller

[Happy Days]

Hi CJ,

I would have  thought a free flight model would be easier and cheaper to build. (No radio control equipment to buy/fit.)

I’ve never been into free flight planes so I don’t have any info on them I’m afraid, other than to tell you that you launch them by hand and, provided it’s a calm day, they fly. (Sometimes a very long way! :shock: )  
 
But I’m sure other members of this forum would know of planes and costs………

Fred, Lez, Ralph, Gerry………Anyone?

Keith
ps, try here CJ.......this might give you some ideas

http://www.greenhobbymodel.com/

Go to .> RC aircraft  >  Planes for young modellers.

But like Bill said, if you can find someone who has working model building experience, you’d find that a great help.

[cjchaney]

Hi CJ,

I would have  thought a free flight model would be easier and cheaper to build. (No radio control equipment to buy/fit.)

I’ve never been into free flight planes so I don’t have any info on them I’m afraid, other than to tell you that you launch them by hand and, provided it’s a calm day, they fly. (Sometimes a very long way! :shock: )  
 
But I’m sure other members of this forum would know of planes and costs………

Fred, Lez, Ralph, Gerry………Anyone?

Keith

Hi there happy days  . I was under the impression that a free flight model was the same as a hand launched glider, but i geuss that is what you geuss for doing you're research at half two in the morning. Your terminology gets all mixed up. So just to clarifyI want to build a free flight model. I'll just edit that line in the question. Thanks for your reply.

[billscottni]

if you want to build a free flight glider, look at the Lulu, which is relatively simple to build and a reasonable flyer.

http://www.theplanpage.com/st.htm

A parts kit for the Lul is available form Belair:

http://www.belairkits.com/Productdetail.asp?Id=582

and check this:
http://www.theplanpage.com/things/Lulu/Glider%20Launch.pdf

Free flight does need a BIG area, as once launched, the model is at the whim of the wind

[cjchaney]

if you want to build a free flight glider, look at the Lulu, which is relatively simple to build and a reasonable flyer.

http://www.theplanpage.com/st.htm

A parts kit for the Lul is available form Belair:

http://www.belairkits.com/Productdetail.asp?Id=582

and check this:
http://www.theplanpage.com/things/Lulu/Glider%20Launch.pdf

Free flight does need a BIG area, as once launched, the model is at the whim of the wind

Thanks for taking the time to post twice, billscottni. Your links and time are both apperciated greatly.  

[gerryb]

hi cj, welcome to the greatest hobby in the world! i had a look for some suitable ff gliders on the net. if you are allowed build from kits, check out the servoshop.co.uk. there are 3 kits by west wings which may be suitable for you, the 'merlin', the 'swallow' and the 'amethist'. all are gliders about 1 metre span and cost about E25. bill's suggestion for the 'lulu' looks a very good option as well.  
i usually get my balsa wood from 'the balsa cabin' in england, check their web site for prices.
tools usually include stanley knife, strong pins, pva, c.a. (super glue) and epoxy glues. a set square helps to build 'square' models!
check out maci, which is the governing body for model flying in ireland. there are several clubs in the dublin area which you could make contact with.
hopefully this is of some help to you. keep in contact and let us know how you are progressing