Boost Glider

Model rocketry takes on an entire new dimension with the construction of boost gliders. This is a highly skilled task and can be undertaken by students as an extension activity. Fine workmanship and precision is required.

Boost gliders pose an interesting challenge because they must take off as a rocket and return to the ground as a glider. Now we all now that gliders do not make good rockets and rockets are not great gliders. So how do we solve the problem?

Here is one design that has proven to be simple and effective. Follow the instructions carefully. The Boost-Glider consists of a launch vehicle and two gliders. Firstly we will construct the gliders.

We need:
- A 2.5 mm thick balsa wood sheet 7 cm wide and 100 cm long.
- an 18 cm long rectangular block of balsa 0.5 cm wide and 1 cm tall.
Using a ruler and pencil, draw the shape of the wing that will be cut from the balsa wood sheet.
Measure 22 cm along the length of the sheet.
Draw a line 2.7 cm in length at the 22 cm mark.
Draw a line from the edge of the 2.7 cm line tot he corner of the balsa sheet, as shown on the right.
Measure a distance of 6 cm along the edge of the wing from the 2.7 cm line. Mark this spot with a pencil.
Measure a distance of 4 cm along the other edge of the wing as shown on the right. Mark this spot with a pencil.
Join the two marks with a straight line as shown in red in picture on the right.
Cut out the wing from the balsa sheet. Using a sharp blade cut along the red line but do not cut all the way through the wood.
Bend the wing along the red line as shown on the right. Bend through an angle of 15o.
Apply wood glue into the gap as shown on the right and allow the glue to set.
Repeat the procedure outlined above to create the second wing.
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