The great flight challenge.

Orville and Wilbur Wright may have created the first successful powered flight, but they weren't the first people to take to the skies. Before the Wright brothers, many attempts were made with gliders (un-powered flying machines). In Top 10 Takeoffs (p. 8) you learned about the four basic aerodynamic forces and how to build an airfoil. Now use that knowledge to take it further: Build a glider! Then conduct a class challenge to see which glider tops in flight distance. Follow up by studying each glider model to create the ultimate class flying machine.

Step 1: Create Rules and Guidelines 

Before you build your glider, conduct a class discussion to set requirements and limits so that there will be no unfair advantage.

For example, here are some discussion points:

* What kind of materials are or are not allowed?

* Where will you get your material?

* What features must the glider include?

* Is there a maximum or minimum glider size?

* Set a location and time (include a time limit) for glider construction.

* Scout for a "runway" to conduct flight tests. A hallway, gymnasium, or the football field may work.

Step 2: Construct Glider

1. At the designated time and place, construct your glider.

2. After building your glider, list all your construction material on a piece of paper. Be sure to name your glider.

Step 3: Flight Test

1. Each glider will enter a flight distance test. To prepare for takeoff, have your class create a giant data table. (See Science World 9/22/03.) Each glider will have three trials. Remember to include a column for average flight distance.

2. Prepare the runway. Use masking tape to mark the starting line. Then use a tape measure, more masking tape, and a pen to mark every meter from the starting line. Continue until you reach the end of your runway.

3. Have students line up behind the starting line to take turns for each trial.

4. Record the result for each trial on the data table.

5. Also, observe each takeoff and take notes of any unusual flight behavior. For example, does a glider swoop or veer in one direction?

Step 4: Conclusions

Study the data. Which glider flew the longest distance or performed the most consistently? Also, discuss any unusual patterns.

Step 5: Take it Further

Based on your conclusions, study each glider to extract the attributes that may create the ultimate class glider. Build it!