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First Flights Flyer Instructions
The First Flights Flyer is a low cost, easy to build, robust conventional balsa glider that flies well. This glider is meant to be an alternative to the Fantastic Flyer in that it has a more conventional configuration. Also this glider is meant to be modular in that it is easy to try changes to the design to see what effect it has (i.e. what if the wing is a different width / length, what if the tail surfaces were a different size, what if the nose tube was shorter, etc.). The cost of this project is minimized by maximizing the number of pieces that can be made from standard sizes of balsa, using low cost vinyl tubing and the templates / jig are easily made from low cost materials.
Click here for Bill of Materials
To build this glider one will need the materials shown in the Bill of Materials that are shown on the plans. Also, the following tools and supplies will be needed:
Recommended Build Order (i.e. make the parts that take the longest to dry first)
1.) Wing a) Trace the radius on the ends of the wing using the Wing Tip template and a ballpoint pen. b) Using a ruler make a mark 2 inches in from both wing tips. Using the straight end of the Wing Tip template draw a perpendicular line at each mark across the wing with a ballpoint pen c) Using a ruler find the middle of each wing. Using the straight end of the Wing Tip template draw a perpendicular line at the middle of the wing with a ballpoint pen. d) Using a scissors, cut just outside of the line that has been traced e) Using the sanding block, sand off the excess balsa (i.e. the balsa that remains outside of the contour that was traced).
f) As shown in the picture below, place the wing on a table with the outboard 2 inches hanging over the edge of the table. Align the straight edge of the Wing Tip jig with the line that has been drawn and with one hand firmly hold it down. With your other hand gently pull up on the outboard section of wing until it just starts to fracture. The goal is for the bottom edge of the wing to be fractured at this location but for the top edge to still be attached. An alternative to make this easier is to place a piece of masking tape across the line that was drawn before fracturing the bottom surface (i.e. even if one fractures thru the thickness of the wing it will still be attached). Then do the same on the other end of the wing.
g) Place the wing upside down on the wing dihedral jig and center it. Attach the wing to the jig using masking tape. Tape down each wing tip to the jig. h) Place some white glue on one of the fractured surface and spread it. On top of this glue place one of the bonding strips (i.e. ¾ x 1 ¾ inch piece of covering tissue). Work the glue into tissue by wiping from the center of the strip to the outside edge. The goal is to get the tissue soaked with glue and to wipe off any excess glue. Let the wing stay in the jig until it is dry.
i) When dry, remove the wing from the jig. If desired, decorate the wings with magic markers. Permanent markers bleed less on the balsa than washable markers. 2.) Vertical Fin a) Trace the profile of the vertical fin onto the balsa using the Vertical / Horizontal Tail template and a ballpoint pen b) Using a scissors, cut just outside of the line that has been traced c) Using the sanding block, sand off the excess balsa (i.e. the balsa that remains outside of the contour that was traced) 3.) Fuselage a) Using a ruler and a ballpoint pen draw on the catapult lug, wing location and vertical fin reference marks per the reference drawing 4.) Fuselage Assembly a) Attach the Catapult Lug using glue and use modeling pins or similar to hold it in place while it dries b) Attach the Vertical Fin using glue and use modeling pins or similar to hold it in place while it dries. The Vertical Fin is to placed on the fuselage relative to the reference mark, perpendicular to the fuselage and flush with the bottom of the fuselage. 5.) Horizontal Tail a) Trace the radius on the ends of the wing using the Vertical / Horizontal Tail template and a ballpoint pen. b) Using a ruler find the middle of each wing and using the straight end of the Vertical / Horizontal Tail jig template draw a perpendicular line at the middle of each wing with a pen. c) Using a scissors, cut just outside of the line that has been traced d) Using the sanding block, sand off the excess balsa (i.e. the balsa that remains outside of the contour that was traced). 6.) Assembly a) If the glue is dry, proceed to the next step b) At the rear of the Fuselage install the Horizontal Tail. If the Vertical Fin extends beyond the bottom of the fuselage, use the sanding block to remove the excess material. To install the Horizontal Tail, slide one of the rubber bands over the nose of the Fuselage towards the Vertical Fin, place the Horizontal Tail on the bottom of the Fuselage. Gently pull the rubber band over the Horizontal Tail and onto the back of the fuselage. Center the Horizontal Tail on the Fuselage. c) Over the front of the Fuselage install the Wing. To do this slip a rubber band over the front of the Fuselage, place the place the Wing on top of the Fuselage and pull the rubber band over the front of the Fuselage. Gently slide the Wing rearward until it is in the approximate position as shown and is centered on the Fuselage. d) Slide the Nose Tube on to the front of the fuselage while holding the Fuselage at the catapult lug. To install the Nose Tube it may be necessary to chamfer the inside diameter of the Nose Tube and/or slightly compress the front most corners of the Fuselage. Silicone tubing is easier to install but is much more expensive than the vinyl tubing.
7.) Adjusting to Fly
1) To hand launch the glider hold the glider between your thumb and index finger at the middle of the Fuselage. Gently toss the glider horizontally. 2) If the glider dives to the ground, then move the wing forward. If the glider goes high and stalls, slide the wing back. The reference marks on the top of the fuselage are so that one can tell how far forward or rearward the Wing is. 3) To keep the glider from turning, slide the Wing out horizontally in the direction that it turns. The reference mark on the middle of the wing is so that one can tell how far the wing is shifted. 4) When the glider lands the Wing and Horizontal Tail may move. If so, it will be necessary to reposition the wings relative to the reference marks again.
An alternative to hand launching this glider is to catapult it. The catapult can be made from a 6 inch long piece of 3/16 inch dowel and a # 117B (i.e. 7 inch x 1/8 inch) rubber band. As a word of caution, other than in a gymnasium, catapulting this glider is an outside activity and the glider is not to be catapulted in the direction of any person. The attached picture shows how to launch the glider with the catapult.
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