1.

0 INTRODUCTION

A glider is an aircraft that has no engine. It is the most graceful form of flying relying only on
the elements of nature just like sailing a yacht in the ocean. Unlike noisy powered aircraft, gliders
are almost silent in flight. There’s no need to wear cumbersome headphones and a microphone,
gliding can be both tranquil and peaceful. Pilots use thermal up draughts to gain height and rely
on the high glide ratio of the aircraft to cross large distances with the minimum loss of
height. Gliders are used to fly cross-country, perform aerobatics, or just fly gently through the air
and experiencing the quite beauty of soaring flight.

Gliders are also used for a competitive sport that attracts people of all ages; you can go solo at
15 and still be flying at 80. These gliding competitions test pilots' abilities to make best use of local
weather conditions as well as their flying skills. Local and national competitions are organized in
many countries such as World Gliding Championships and FAI World Glider Aerobatic
Championships. Techniques to maximize a glider's speed around the day's task in a competition
have been developed, including the optimum speed to fly, navigation using GPS and the carrying
of water ballast. The pilots need to land elsewhere, perhaps in a field if there is a bad weather.

There are thousands of designs and ideas about gliders which have been developed through the
years. Gliders now have composite materials using glass, carbon fiber and aramid fibers to
minimize drag. The gliders also have a fuselage and long narrow wings for a high aspect ratio.
Both single-seat and two-seat gliders are available. Most current development is done by
individual designers and home builders. Nowadays, gliding competition is not warm welcome
among people because some of the pilots ended in heavy back injuries.

Bernoulli's principle holds that for fluids in an ideal state, pressure and density are inversely
related: in other words, a slow-moving fluid exerts more pressure than a fast-moving fluid. Since
"fluid" in this context applies equally to liquids and gases, the principle has as many applications
with regard to airflow as to the flow of liquids. One of the most dramatic everyday examples of
Bernoulli's principle can be found in the airplane, which stays aloft due to pressure differences on
the surface of its wing; but the truth of the principle is also illustrated in something as mundane as
a shower curtain that billows inward.
PARTS OF GLIDER
FUSELAGE

The fuselage is the main structure or body of the fixed-wing aircraft. It provides space for cargo,
controls, accessories, passengers, and other equipment. In single-engine aircraft, the fuselage
houses the powerplant. In multiengine aircraft, the engines may be either in the fuselage, attached
to the fuselage, or suspended from the wing structure. The two general types of fuselage are truss
and monocoque.

Truss type is a rigid framework made up of members, such as beams, struts, and bars to resist
deformation by applied loads. The truss-framed fuselage is generally covered with fabric. The
truss-type fuselage frame is usually constructed of steel tubing welded together in such a manner
that all members of the truss can carry both tension and compression loads. The monocoque (single
shell) fuselage relies largely on the strength of the skin or covering to carry the primary loads. The
design may be divided into two classes which are monocoque and semi monocoque.
WINGS

Wings are airfoils that, when moved rapidly through the air, create lift. They are built in many
shapes and sizes. Wing design can vary to provide certain desirable flight characteristics. Control
at various operating speeds, the amount of lift generated, balance, and stability all change as the
shape of the wing is altered. Both the leading edge and the trailing edge of the wing may be straight
or curved, or one edge may be straight and the other curved. One or both edges may be tapered so
that the wing is narrower at the tip than at the root where it joins the fuselage. The wing tip may
be square, rounded, or even pointed.

The wings of an aircraft can be attached to the fuselage at the top, mid-fuselage, or at the
bottom. They may extend perpendicular to the horizontal plain of the fuselage or can angle up or
down slightly. This angle is known as the wing dihedral. The dihedral angle affects the lateral
stability of the aircraft.
TAIL

The tail section is usually called as an empennage which provides the constancy to the aircraft.
The Empennage is derived from French. The aircraft motion of pitch and yaw is controlled by the
empennages’ vertical and horizontal stabilizing components of the aircraft. All tail components,
fin, tailplane and the components that are attached with tail fuselage are the main structure
of Aircraft empennage . The empennage play vital role in controlling the aircraft. It is also known
as rear pressure bulkhead.

The pitch stability is provided by the horizontal stabilizer which is also the fixed section of tail
of an aircraft. In backward there is elevator which is fixed in the stabilizer that is know as horizontal
stabilizer. elevator controls the nose of aircraft with the motion of up and down. that is why The
elevator is a aerofoil that can move and can change the pitch of an aircraft.

The rigid front part of the vertical tail section is known as the vertical stabiliser. In the backward
of this stabiliser we can find a movable aerofoil that can yaw the aircraft in left –to- right motion
is known as rudder. Rudder can turn the aircraft right-left and left-right direction with the
combination of ailerons.
 4 FORCES OF GLIDER

LIFT

The force that acts at a right angle to the direction of motion through the air. Lift is created
by differences in air pressure. This is the principle acting on an airplane wing. The air (fluid)
moving of the top of the wing encounters an obstacle that it must go around and therefore its speed
increases and its pressure drops. The difference in pressure between the bottom and top of the wing
results in more pressure at the bottom, thus pushing the wing upward into the sky.

When a gas flows over an object, or when an object moves through a gas, the molecules of
the gas are free to move about the object. They are not closely bound to one another as in a solid.
Because the molecules move, there is a velocity associated with the gas. Within the gas, the
velocity can have very different values at different places near the object. Bernoulli's equation,
which was named for Daniel Bernoulli, relates the pressure in a gas to the local velocity so as the
velocity changes around the object, the pressure changes as well. Adding up the pressure
variation times the area around the entire body determines the aerodynamic force on the body.
THRUST
The force that propels a flying machine in the direction of motion. Engines produce thrust.
Thrust is a mechanical force which is generated through the reaction of accelerating a mass of gas,
as explained by Newton's third law of motion. Thrust is a mechanical force, so the propulsion
system must be in physical contact with a working fluid to produce thrust. Thrust is generated most
often through the reaction of accelerating a mass of gas.

Since thrust is a force, it is a vector quantity having both a magnitude and a direction. The
engine does work on the gas and accelerates the gas to the rear of the engine; the thrust is generated
in the opposite direction from the accelerated gas. The magnitude of the thrust depends on the
amount of gas that is accelerated and on the difference in velocity of the gas through the engine.
A gas or working fluid is accelerated to the rear and the engine and aircraft are accelerated in the
opposite direction. To accelerate the gas, we need some kind of propulsion system.

WEIGHT
Weight is a force caused by gravity. Because it is a force, it is also measured in Newton (N).
It is the gravitational force between the object and the Earth. An object will have greater weight if
it has more mass. The weight of an object is the same everywhere on earth because the object is
under the same pull of gravity. In Space, there is no gravity so the object will not even sit on the
scale at all. Is will just stay in suspense. Technically speaking, there is no weight on the Space.
Gravity on the Moon is less and that means an object will weigh less on Moon than on earth.

Weight is a force, and a force is a vector quantity having both a magnitude and a direction
associated with it. For an airplane, weight is always directed towards the center of the earth. The
magnitude of this force depends on the mass of all of the parts of the airplane itself, plus the amount
of fuel, and any payload on board. The weight is distributed throughout the airplane, but we can
often think of it as collected and acting through a single point called the center of gravity. In flight,
the airplane rotates about the center of gravity, but the direction of the weight force always remains
toward the center of the earth.
DRAG

Drag is the force that acts opposite to the direction of motion. It is caused by friction and
differences in air pressure. Drag is a mechanical force. It is generated by the interaction and contact
of a solid body with a fluid (liquid or gas). It is not generated by a force field, in the sense of
a gravitational field or an electromagnetic field, where one object can affect another object without
being in physical contact. For drag to be generated, the solid body must be in contact with the
fluid. If there is no fluid, there is no drag. Drag is generated by the difference in velocity between
the solid object and the fluid. There must be motion between the object and the fluid. If there is no
motion, there is no drag. It makes no difference whether the object moves through a static fluid or
whether the fluid moves past a static solid object.

Drag is a force and is therefore a vector quantity having both a magnitude and a direction. Drag
acts in a direction that is opposite to the motion of the aircraft. Lift acts perpendicular to the motion.
There are many factors that affect the magnitude of the drag. Many of the factors also affect lift but
there are some factors that are unique to aircraft drag. Aerodynamic friction, and one of the sources
of drag is the skin friction between the molecules of the air and the solid surface of the aircraft.
1.1 HISTORY

The first successful glider was built by British Engineer George Cayley in 1853. It
conceived a craft with stationary wings to provide lift and flappers to provide thrust. It also has a
movable tail to provide control. The glider carried his terrified servant on a short flight across a
small valley before crash-landing. Later, in the 1890s, Otto Lilienthal of Germany built a series of
small, fragile gliders. Lilienthal had read about the work of George Cayley and spent many years
studying the way birds flying and glide. Otto Lilienthal had his own hill near Berlin so that he
could test and improve his gliders. He launching himself into the wind from high places. However,
Lilienthal died after being injured in a gliding accident in 1896.

By the early 1900’s the famed Wright Brothers were experimenting with gliders and gliding
flight in the hills of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The Wrights developed a series of gliders while
experimenting with aerodynamics which was crucial to developing a workable control system.
Many historians and most importantly the Wrights themselves pointed out that their game plan
was to learn flight control and become pilots specifically by soaring whereas all the other
experimenters rushed to add power without refining flight control. By 1903 Orville and Wilbur
Wright had achieved powered flight of just over a minute by putting an engine on their best glider
design. At this point the development of aviation had been all about developing more and more
advanced gliders and perfecting the ability to control them in flight. Now aviation branched off
with powered flight becoming increasingly dominant from the successful 1903 first sustained,
controlled, powered flight of the Wright Brothers.

By the late 1900’s aviation has become a common place that providing to the world
economy. Soaring had grown into a diverse and interesting sport. Modern high performance
sailplanes are made from composite materials and take advantage of highly refined aerodynamics
and control systems. Soaring pilots use sophisticated instrumentation including global positioning
technology and electronic glide computers to go further, faster and higher than ever before.
1.2 TYPES OF GLIDER

1) PARAGLIDER
Paragliders are advanced evolutionary aircraft that can go
places and do things unlike any other vehicle. It is a lightweight,
free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary
structure. Paragliders are aircrafts, which fly by the same
aerodynamic principles that keep Boeings in the sky. However,
unlike Boeings, paragliders are delightfully slow aircrafts, with
a very small speed range. You can inflate it in wind, stabilize it
overhead with a touch of the brakes, launch it at a steady trot,
and yet it will also fly forward in quite a strong breeze. It turns with a gentle pull on a single handle,
or will fly straight, with a little more than an occasional shift of your shoulders.

The entire paragliding set such as wing, harness and helmet are up weighs less than fifteen
kilos and easily fits into a backpack. It is easy to transport, easy to launch, and easy to land. The
paraglider wing is a fabric aerofoil shape with holes in the leading edge for the air to enter, inflate
and pressurise the wing. The pilot is suspended below by multiple lines. This provides a pendulum
effect which stabilises the wing above. It is really a wonder of science that this bundle of rainbow
colored fabric can take us to a magical world of the skies.

All paragliders are shock and load tested for safety. They will start out doing short flights
trying to master the takeoff and landing technique. As you progress ahead you will be ready to
fly higher and enjoy as pilots do. Paragliders are classified depending on the weight of the pilot
and the level of proficiency. There are training gliders for beginners, intermediate gliders for
club level pilots for soaring and fun flying and advanced gliders for competition level flying.
Average recreational pilots, using thermal and ridge lift, easily stay up for 2 to 3 hours or more,
can soar to altitudes up to 15,000 ft and travel cross-country for great distances. It is far easier to
handle a paraglider in the air than on the ground
2) HANG GLIDER

Hang glider is a sophisticated machine built of aluminium, carbon-fibre and high-tech sail
fabrics. It is an unpowered flying apparatus for a single person, consisting of a frame with a fabric
airfoil stretched over it. The operator is suspended from a harness below and controls flight by
body movement. The first hang glider was built in April 1963 by Mike Burns. Early hang glider
had a low lift-to-drag ratio, so pilots were restricted to gliding down small hills. There are many
types of hang gliders available such as Falcon 3 Tandem, U2 for advanced intermediate and
T2/T2C for international competition. It can fit your style of flying.

Pilots fly from hill and tow sites controlled by one of the local recreational clubs that can be
found throughout the UK. The pilot launches his or her machine by running to accelerate it to
flying speed, then relaxes into the comfortable prone harness while controlling the glider by
moving their weight in relation to the control bar. Flying a hang glider is a little more demanding
than flying a para glider and not quite as easy to learn, but the machine is capable of much higher
speeds and better gliding performance, and can be flown in stronger winds. It normally takes
around ten days of flyable weather to train a would-be pilot to Club Pilot level, the minimum
standard required to fly unsupervised with a recreational club.

Hang Gliding, like any other adventure sport, has its associated risks and dangers, as do many
day to day activities. The instructor will show on how to rig and inspect the glider before you
have your first short flight down a gentle slope. They teach students to operate safely and remain
aware. The important pre-requisites in learning to fly safely are pilot attitude, competent
instruction, and safe equipment. If these conditions are met the slow speeds and inherent stability
of hang gliders can provide a relatively safe and easy way to fly. A full training course at a BHPA
registered school will cost around £1,000 - £1,300.
3) SAILPLANES

Sailplanes are piloted gliders that have standard aircraft parts, construction, and flight
control systems, but no engine. A sailplane is a type of glider aircraft used in the sport
of gliding. Sailplanes are aerodynamically streamlined and are capable of soaring in rising air. The
first gliders were made from fabric covered wood and this was the way it remained for a long time
until companies with metal experience started making gliders from aluminium. When glass fiber
sailplanes appeared in the late '50s,it was rapidly apparent that composite gliders had huge
advantages. Apart from the obvious performance improvements, maintenance was much lower.

Although airplanes were used during World War I, Sailplanes did not get into real action until
World War II when Germany employed one Glider to carry 10 soldiers to Fort Eben - Emael in
Belgium. This glider attack against Allied forces was a success. However, Great Britain and the
United States took note and a year later, they had successful sailplane programs of their own. They
used gliders to transport troops and cargo weighing from 3,000 to almost 11,000 pounds. Today
the military use of sailplanes is limited to the United States Air Force, which uses them to teach
cadets the basics of aeronautics.

Early uses of gliders and sailplanes for sports and recreation continued into the 1920's, when
the Treaty of Versailles ending World War I, prohibited Germans from using motorized aircraft.
The first world Sailplane championship was held in Wasserkuppe, Germany in 1937.Sailplane
rides continue to be unique and exciting experiences. In today's harried and hurried world,
sailplanes continue to be the ultimate feel-good adventure where you can get an adrenalin rush
and feel totally at peace.
4) MOTOR GLIDER

A motor glider is a fixed-wing aircraft that can be flown with or without engine power. It is a
fixed-wing aerodyne equipped with a means of propulsion, capable of sustained soaring flight
without thrust from the means of propulsion. Motor gliders come in two styles which are “self-
launch” and “sustainer.” As the names imply, “self-launching” gliders have the capability to launch
by themselves. “Sustainer” engines provide only enough power to keep the glider aloft if it
encounters unexpected sink. This glider must be launched by other means.

In the US, a powered glider may be certificated for up to two occupants, up to 850 kg maximum
weight, and with a maximum ratio of weight to wing span squared of 3 kg/m2. The motor glider
can be flown as a powered aircraft, a self-launched glider that soars with the engine off, or it can
motor-soar over great distances with incredible fuel economy. Motor glider with a foldable
propeller, can be safely started at a very low altitude. In case of system failure it can land like all
other pure sailplanes, without the additional drag of a propeller and motor.

Starting the motor on a downwind leg at 150 m, gives quite an edge on days. You can still
easily climb away in a weak thermal with only 45kg of additional weight. After reaching a safe
altitude, power is usually reduced for horizontal flight to the nearest thermal. If you start with an
aero tow you can release very low in the first thermal and cut down an expensive towing bill. If
the thermal is not sufficient you can start the motor for a few minutes. You can avoid dumping
water ballast or even too early landing and then waiting in a row for another tow. You can enjoy
to start your memorable cross-country flights much earlier and with more water ballast. In such
critical situation you can release the towing rope, and start Flash Evaporator System (FES)
immediately to climb away from risky situation, saving you and your precious glider.
5) MILITARY GLIDER

A military glider is a winged aircraft with no motor and no propellers. It must be

towed by larger, powered aircraft, then released in flight and piloted to the target landing
zone. During 1942-1945, the Ford Motor Company's Kingsford plant built 4,190 Model
CG-4A gliders for use in combat operations during World War II. The CG-4A gliders were
used for transporting. The primary reasons for using gliders were because the glider was
a silent aircraft and could deliver either troops or equipment behind enemy lines undetected
at night. Unlike powered aircraft, a glider could land where there was no airstrip.
Once landed and disembarked, troops began specific assignments, such as seizing
enemy installations, disrupting enemy communications, reconnaissance work or providing
relief and support for friendly troops. Troops dropped by parachute risked being scattered
over vast areas, while gliders could land hundreds of heavy infantry with a much greater
degree of precision. Dozens of transport planes rumbling overhead signal the arrival of
paratroopers and gliders could be released much farther from their objectives and would
descend silently. Gliders were used by Canada, Great Britain, as well as the United States.
Military gliders were often as flimsy as kites and were constructed using little more
than canvass stretched over wooden frames. They needed to be light enough to be towed
into the skies by other aircraft and since most varieties were effectively disposable. The
gliders were pulled aloft by bombers or transports using cable tethers. After reaching the
ground, troops and equipment were offloaded and sent into action. And unlike conventional
pilots, glider aircrews were often expected to fight alongside the ground forces after
landing.
1.3 PURPOSE
  To learn and understand what is the definition of an aerofoil and how it is works
our glider project
 To use and understand the terminology such as wing, tail plane, fuselage, aerofoil
and fin on our glider project
 To learn and understand the parts of a plane and how they are needed for flight
control on our glider project
 To learn and understand the effect of weight, thrust, drag, lift all work together to
keep our glider project in flight.

1.4 OBJECTIVE

 To design and construct a glider that can glide for a longer period of time
 To create a robust glider
 To study the best material for our glider project

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

 How to make a robust glider?
 How to make the glider fly smoothly, steady and longer in the air?
 How did the size and shape of the wings affect the way the gliders flew?

1.6 PROBLEM STATEMENT

 To find the type of material that we want to use for our glider project
 To find the best design for our glider prototype
 To find the right calculation for our glider to fly longer in the air

There are 4 main parts of a glider.

For our glider project, these are the calculations for our glider parts.
Main Wing:

Wingspan = 100cm
Wing width = 10cm
Wing height = 0.5cm

Left wing

Wing surface area = 35cm x 10cm

= 350 cm2
Right wing
Wing surface area = 35cm x 10cm
= 350 cm2
Tapered area
Surface area = ½ x (10+5)(15)
= 112.5cm2 x 2
= 225cm2
∴ Total wing surface area = 700cm2 + 225cm2
= 925cm2
Fuselage:
Length = 50cm
Diameter = 1cm
Surface area of fuselage = 2𝜋𝑟ℎ + 2𝜋𝑟 2
= 2𝜋(0.5)(50) + 2𝜋(0.5)2
= 158.71 cm2

Tail:

Horizontal Stabilizers
Length 1 = 10cm
Length 2 = 5cm
Height = 15cm

Total surface area for horizontal stabilizers = ½ x (10 + 5) (15)

= 112.5cm2

Vertical Stabilizer
Length 1 = 4cm
Length 2 = 9cm
Height = 18cm
Surface area for vertical stabilizer = ½ x (4+9) (18)
= 117cm2
1.7 CALCULATION

LIFT

Lift = Lift
CL = Coefficient of lift
(Ratio of lift pressure to dynamic pressure and area. It is specific to a particular airfoil shape, and
below the stall, it is proportional to angle of attack.)
V = Velocity (meter per second)
ρ = Air density (kilogram per cubic meter)
S = Wing surface area (square meter)
THRUST

F = ((m * V) 2 - (m * V)1) / (t2 - t1)

F= Change of momentum with time

m= Mass/time
V= Velocity
T=Time

WEIGHT

W = mg

W = Weight
m = mass
g = gravitational force

DRAG
1.8 PROTOTYPE

DESIGN

PARTS MATERIAL ADVANTAGES

FUSELAGE  Aluminum alloy  light

tube

WING  Foam Board  Light

 Can be easily
shaped to make
airfoils

TAIL  Foam Board  Light

COLOUR
The color we choose are black and blue which is to ensure visibility during glide.
PARTS

 Wings

The wings of our glider has the length of 50cm and the total wingspan is 100cm with tapered
end for aerodynamic purpose. The wings will be built with dihedral configuration to make it
stable on the longitudinal axis.

 Fuselage

The fuselage of our glider has the dimension of 1cm x 1cm x 50cm which is made possible
by the use of readily available aluminum alloy tubing. Aluminum alloy is light therefore will
give less resistance for the glider to glide smoothly with high glide ratio.

 Tail

The vertical stabilizer of our glider will be made of foam board which has the surface area of
117cm2 to make it stable on the vertical axis. The horizontal stabilizer have the surface area
of 112.5cm2 to ensure the glider have a lateral stability.
2.0 PREPARATIONS
TOOLS AND MATERIALS

 Foam Board (wing and tail)

 Aluminum alloy tubing

(Fuselage)

 Plastic Laminate

 Hot glue gun

 Metal ruler

 Craft Knives

 Cutting Mat

 Set square
 Heat Gun

 Tape

 Sanding Block

 Scissor
Safety Precaution
 Craft knives should only be used under the supervision of a responsible adult.
 Risk of burns from both the hot glue-gun and hot glue, take extreme care
 Check the area where you will fly your glider is clear of people and other hazards
Instructions
 Use heat gun with caution

3.0 PROCEDURES
1. You will first need to prepare all the materials and tools listed above.
2. Draw the layout of the wing and the tails on a foam board using a marker, set square and a
metal ruler.

3. Carefully cut out your glider parts using the craft knife and metal ruler.
4. Using the heat gun, heat the plastic laminate evenly to the upper surface of the foam to
ensure an even and neat laminate on the wing surface.
5. Using the hot glue gun, glue the winglets to either end of the wing. The shortest edge of
the winglet should form the new tip of the wing, and the winglets should mirror each other
so the back edge of the wing is flat the entire way along and tape the glued area.

6. Line up the horizontal stabilizer so the tip is pointing to the front of the fuselage and the
stabilizer’s back edge is lined up with the end of fuselage. Hot glue the stabilizer to the
underside of the fuselage.
7. Attach the tail piece. Make sure the sloped edge is pointing towards the front of the
fuselage and that the bottom edge is resting on the horizontal stabilizer. Hot glue it against
the side of the fuselage

8. To attach the wings to the fuselage, Hot glue the wing to the fuselage and Make sure that
the wing center line is in line with the fuselage
9. Take some sticky tack and gently stick to the nose of your glider. Make it as even as
possible.

10. Try and error the amount of sticky tack needed for a perfect straight and level glide.
CHAPTER 4

4.0 CONCLUSION

To achieve the best weight and balance for the glider many test should be carried out. We are very
satisfied with the performance of our glider. During the test the best distance we have achieved is
15m from launching point to the drop point.

4.1 RESULT

The glider is set to be tested.

To get a good glide weight and balance should be determined. 3 important test that should be
carried out:

1) Stability test
 Stability test are done by adjusting the amount of sticky tack that is attached to the
front of the fuselage until straight and level glide are achieved.
2) Distance test
3) Timing test

ATTEMPT 1 2 3
TIME TAKEN, s 3s 5s 7s
DISTANCE, m 5m 11m 15m