Week 4 Update

The material for the models has yet to come in. There was an issue with the payment getting cleared with the supplier, unfortunately.

Work on the Creo model is still in progress. Joe has been working on it, but seems to have run into a couple of problems. As of now, the group is unfortunately at a standstill. I have been doing a little more research on the aerodynamics of gliders. This PDF (link here) has proven to be incredibly informative and helpful in understanding the different aspects of gliders and how they act when in the air.

Again, with no material to be working with, the group has mainly turned to research, which will be helpful in working through the different tests and understanding the effectiveness of the gliders.

Week 3 Update

The group has selected a glider model (Figure 1 below):

Figure 1: Ets Merville SM31 Glider Plans

We will be creating a Creo Parametric (See Background Information for software info) model from these plans for the purposes of visualization and design drafting. The glider models will then be constructed using the Creo model as a guideline. 

The materials for building the models have been ordered as of the 18th of April and consist of 10 sheets of Depron (See Background Information for foam info) foam as well as foam glue. 

We have started planning out the different tests that will be conducted on the models and aim to do around three to five iterations per test and model. The tests will be as follows: 

• Flight Distance - how far model glides
• Flight Time - how long model stays aloft
• Flight Speed (See week 2 update) - ratio of altitude to distance traveled (the higher, the better)

Week 2 Update

Having decided on gliders instead of RC planes, the group now has a definite direction. However, a glider model remains to be chosen. We determined that we would be pursuing an exploration of aerodynamics through the comparative study of gliders. In this project, we will be making various modifications to a glider and compare it to a non-modified model through a series of tests. Through these tests, we aim to find the most efficient or aerodynamic model for a given glider model. We will be basing this efficiency on longer flight time and distance, as well as sinking at the slowest possible rate when launched 

from altitude.