How to Make a Free Flight Foam Glider: The simplest way EVER!

Summary

In this DIY tutorial, viewers learn to construct a smooth-flying glider from a Dollar Tree foam board. The process involves cutting out the fuselage, reinforcing it with a barbecue stick, shaping the wings with a diamond-like design, and attaching them at an angle of attack for lift. Attention is given to aerodynamics, including bevel cuts for an airfoil shape and dihedral angle. The tail's construction mirrors wing techniques, with an emphasis on aesthetics and strength. Final touches include applying electric tape for durability and nose weight for balance, ensuring a successful flight-ready model.

Takeaways

• 🛫 The video tutorial is about building a DIY free fly glider using foam board and sticks.
• 📏 The glider's fuselage is designed by drawing on a Dollar Tree foam board, which is approximately half a centimeter thick.
• 📝 The design for the glider is created spontaneously, but it will be shared in a planner for viewers to follow.
• 🔪 After cutting out the fuselage shape, a second identical piece is traced from the first for reinforcement.
• 🍢 A barbecue stick is used to reinforce the body of the glider, placed between the two Styrofoam fuselage pieces.
• 🔥 Hot glue is utilized to attach the barbecue stick and to join the two fuselage pieces together.
• 🛠 Sandpaper is used to smooth the curves of the glider to ensure aerodynamics.
• 📐 The wings are designed with a diamond-like shape, with a bevel cut on the leading edge to form an airfoil.
• 💨 Long wings are chosen for the glider to reduce drag and allow for higher flight.
• 📈 The glider's wings are attached to the fuselage with an angle of attack, which helps to generate lift.
• 🚀 The horizontal stabilizer and vertical stabilizer are crafted with an airfoil shape and attached to the rear of the glider.
• 🔵 Electric tape is applied for both aesthetic and structural purposes, especially on the leading edge which is prone to damage.
• 🔨 Nose weight is added using metal washers to balance the glider for flight.
• 🎨 Decals are applied to the leading edge of the wings for additional protection against crashes.

Q & A

What is the main material used to build the DIY free fly glider in the video?

The main material used is a Dollar Tree foam board, which is almost half a centimeter thick.

What is the purpose of using a barbecue stick in the construction of the glider?

The barbecue stick is used to reinforce the body of the aircraft, adding rigidity between the two identical pieces of the fuselage.

Why is sandpaper used during the construction process?

Sandpaper is used to smooth off the curves of the glider, ensuring the plane is well aerodynamic in the air.

What shape is drawn for the wings of the glider?

The wings are drawn as triangles from the edge of the center piece of the wing, resembling a diamond shape.

Why are long wings beneficial for a glider?

Long wings are beneficial because they reduce drag and allow the aircraft to be higher in the air.

What is the purpose of performing a bevel cut on the leading edge of the wing?

The bevel cut is performed to achieve an aerodynamical airfoil shape, which is crucial for flight.

What is the term for the angle created when attaching the side plate to the center piece of the wing?

The angle created is known as the dihedral.

What is the angle of attack for the glider, and what does it help with?

The angle of attack is almost five to seven degrees, which helps the plane establish lift in the air.

What is the purpose of the horizontal stabilizer on the glider?

The horizontal stabilizer helps with maintaining stability and control during flight.

Why is it important to eliminate the paper lamination when attaching the vertical stabilizer?

Eliminating the paper lamination ensures a stronger bond between the vertical stabilizer and the fuselage, avoiding potential weak points.

What is the purpose of applying electric tape to the leading edge of the wings and tail?

The electric tape serves both aesthetic purposes and provides additional strength to the leading edge, which is vulnerable to crashes.

Why is nose weight added to the glider, and what material is used in the video?

Nose weight is added to ensure the glider's balance during flight. In the video, metal washers are used as the nose weight.