Manoeuvrable Autonmous Glider

[rds1g13]

I am doing project where I need to design and construct a simple glider capable of high-speed manoeuvres by moving its wings or changing its shape. I would like some help or ideas on the design and how to go about making the wings mobile. I am interested in the uncontrolled manoeuvre so no electronic controls systems will be required. Thank you.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Changing shape by means other than trailing edge control surfaces gets complicated fast, and for nonelectronic means gets heavy fast.
Neither are good for a glider.

If the glider turns out to be any good, you also need a thermal fuse (literally a piece of burning string or other primitive timer that releases the entire elevator into a high AOA position after some minutes, or you will be chasing the glider into the next county.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[SkipVought]

So is this a classroom project?

Skip,

_{Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance!}

 

[KENAT]

Sprung ailerons etc. held in 'cruise' position by pin with a turbine on it. As it flies the turbine unwinds the pin freeing the controls to spring into motion.

There you go, do I get extra credit from your prof?

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[verymadmac]

How about a mechanism using flutter! Once a certain speed is exceeded there a permanent geometry change.