from Come Fly With Me – Exploring Science through aviation and aerospace concepts.
6. BUILDING A MODEL AIRPLANE
troubleshooting chart
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balsa airplane pattern
balsa airplane pattern
SUBJECT: Science
GRADE: 7,8,9
GROUP SIZE: Individual or Small
TIME: Several 45 minute periods
TYPE OF ACTIVITY: Construction and Testing of models
TEACHING STRATEGY: Expository Guided Discovery
CONCEPTS: Forces of Flight Stability
SKILLS: Construction Modeling Manipulation and Control of Variables
Objectives: To review the parts of an airplane; to produce, test, and fly a model airplane; to review the effect of forces which influence flight.
Materials: Model airplane kits or balsa sheets and sticks (as called for in the model for which plans are provided at the back of this lesson). For other models, check online at estesrockets.com.
Procedure:
1. Have the students assemble their planes according to the directions.
2. Test fly the planes and balance them to achieve the most stable flight characteristics.
3. Have the students try to identify the possible causes of any problems with the flight of their plane. what forces might be out of balance? what control surfaces on a plane might counteract the problem? Where is the center of balance in the plane?
4. If the students are not familiar with the control surfaces and their effect on flight, review each of the axes of flight and the parts of the plane which control those axes. (See the study sheet in lesson # 2.)
5. If the students still cannot identify the cause of the problem, refer to the trouble shooting sheet.
Extensions: Have a flying contest with the planes. Give points for the longest flight; the highest; the furthest; the most acrobatic; the best design; best built. Have the class work together to build a more complex model, perhaps one with an engine. Have a local enthusiast bring a radio controlled plane or a control line model and fly it for the class. Take a field trip to a local airport and have a pilot show the students the control surfaces and the airplane controls which move them on a full size plane.
Courtesy of Walt Mooney, “Peanut Power”
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