Walkalong glider
A walkalong glider is a lightweight, slow-flying model aircraft designed to be kept aloft by
Types of walkalong gliders have been patented.
Walkalong gliding has also been referred to as controllable slope soaring but should not be confused with dynamic soaring.
History
The first description of a walkalong glider appears in the 1955 patent of J. E. Grant.
Walkalong glider design
A walkalong glider must fly at or below walking speed. Light weight materials and specific design will reduce a walkalong glider's flying speed. For example, using a lower
The paddle should be made from a sheet of light weight but rigid material such as corrugated cardboard or foamcore. The larger the area of the sheet the stronger the updraft created at the top edge. A 1-meter square area paddle is large enough to fly most walkalong gliders.
See also
External links
- Method of Flying Toy Airplane and Means Therefor
- How to build a walkalong glider
- Sliced Foam Walkalong Glider Development from sciencetoymaker.org
- PBS Scientific American Frontiers Free Flight episode with Walkalong Glider
References
- ^ US Patent 2718092 Joseph E Grant 1950 - "A virtually vertical baffle is then moved beneath the airplane in a direction transverse to the plane of the baffle and in the desired direction of flight... gives rise to an updraft and the airplane rides along..."
- ^ US Patent 5100357 Mcready et al. 1992. Refers to Grant's later patent - "A toy airplane is launched; and an air flow deflecting surface is located in spaced relation to a V-shaped, swept-back wing of the airplane to deflect air flow generally upwardly toward the flight path of the airplane to aid in sustaining or balancing its flight. That surface is movable relative to the wing, and may be hand-held beneath the flying wing..." -- This patent adds details to the construction of a walkalong glider which will fly in a swooping tilt after each "boost".
- ISBN 978-1580085779.
- ^ Method of Flying Toy Airplane and Means Therefor
- ^ Walkalong Glider Inventor's Interview Page and New Directions
- ISBN 978-0071790550.
- ^ Rossoni, P. Youtube video titled "Comparison of Tumblewings Made from Different Weight Paper." ,2012
- ISBN 978-0071790550.
- ISBN 978-0071790550.
- ^ Aronstein, D. youtube video titled "Model B-17 Flying Fortress Walkalong Glider", 2008
- ^ Rossoni, P. Web page titled "Stick And Tissue Model Aircraft" , 2011