Boost Glider Design
Illinois Aerospace Institute Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering University of Illinois
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Introduction
What are we trying to do?
Maximize Endurance
Important Factors to Consider
Balance Wing area Glide Slope Speed
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Forces
Lift always acts perpendicular to the direction of flight. Drag always acts parallel to the direction of flight. Weight always acts towards the ground, regardless of the the direction of flight
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Stability
Stability is the Balancing of Forces
Which hopefully your plane will do naturally
Stability in the Boost phase
Center of Gravity (CG) must be above forward of the wing Center of Pressure (CP).
Stability in the Glide phase
CG must be behind of the wing CP
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Boost Phase
Thrust counter acts gravity and drag to make the aircraft climb Lift from the wing and tail counteract the moment from the rocket engine
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Boost Phase
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Wings
Reasons to have a small wing
Lower drag and weight
Will go higher and require as shallower glide angle
Better Boost performance (High Wing Loading)
Wing loading is the ratio of total weight to wing area
Higher Aspect Ratio (AR) for a given area
AR is the ratio of the wing2span (b) squared to the total wing b area (S) AR = S
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Wings
Reasons to have a large wing
Slower glide speed
Will result in increased the glide time
For given span, higher strength for Boost phase
Will prevent wing shear, which in general is not a good idea if you plan on gliding for longer than it takes to fall out of the air
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Glide Phase
A component of the weight is used to overcome drag Lift is used to balance the remaining weight
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Stability
Roll Stability (Dihedral)
15~30 degrees
Yaw Stability
Vertical Stabilizer (tail)
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Stability
Pitch Stability
Lift of Wing Lift of Stabilizer Pitching Moment
Neutral Point
Weight of glider
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Stability
Tail Heavy (CG to far aft)
Nose Heavy (CG to far forward)
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
The Generic Glider
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
What do all those letters mean?
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
What do all those letters mean?
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
So, how should I build this?
Building Steps Fill out your sheets Building Tips Remember to check the design constraints with your results No BLOOD! Bevel the root chords of your wings for good dihedral joint Dont worry too much about the airfoil shape of your wing
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Cut your pieces Sand
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
So, how should I build this?
Building Steps Assemble the fuselage Building Tips Dont glue you fingers together (too many times) Boost portion first Tail next Wings LAST (check your CG locations) The less the better Dont break it
Balance glider with clay Test flights
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Layout Wing on Balsa
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Layout Tail on Balsa
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Layout Pieces
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Assemble Nose
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Assemble Tail
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Assemble Fuselage
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
Boost Glider Design
Assemble Wing
S/2*sin DA*2
Illinois Aerospace Institute University of Illinois
Space Grant
