The Principle of Flight

Using what you have learned about Bernoulli’s principle, design two paper airplanes that can be successfully tested in the following categories: Flying distance, Time aloft, Glide path and Acrobatics.

1. Introduction/purpose - Describe the principle of flight, what keeps airplanes in the air, the relationship of forces acting on a plane, etc. Also include the flying requirements (Categories) for the plane.

2. Hypothesis - State how you expect your design to perform in each of the flying categories.

3. Materials - what did you use to construct your model?

4. Procedure: Describe exactly how you performed each of the following procedures.

A. Flying Distance - Standing on a level surface, throw your airplane as far as possible. Measure and record the distance. Repeat twice.

B. Time Aloft - Standing on a level surface, throw your airplane and time how long it takes to reach the ground. Record your results, then repeat twice.

C. Glide Path - Stand on an elevated surface (Stage or bleachers). Gently throw your airplane, allowing gravity to act as propulsion. Measure the distance from you the plane travels. Measure the elevation your plane started at. The glide path is represented as a ratio of the distance traveled to the elevation, reduced to least terms.

Example: Elevation-10 ft. Distance-40 ft.

Glide path - 40:10 = 4:1

D. Attempt to throw your airplane and have it perform the following:

-Return to you without your moving (Boomerang).

-Fly in circles

-Perform at least one loop.

E. Finally, or first, describe step by step, how you made both of your models. Use diagrams to help explain.

Examples:

5.  Results-Record you data collected in each procedure. Use a table to organize your results, and average each of the procedures except acrobatics.

6. 

Trial 1 / Trial 2 / Trial 3 / Average
Time aloft
Distance
Glide path

6. Conclusions - Did your model meet the expectations presented in the hypothesis? Explain the results in either case.

The finished report must be written in pen or typed. Include a title as well as your name, date and period. Only the student must construct all planes. Materials are restricted to two pieces of 8 1/2 X 11 paper, one staple, or one piece of tape. The plane must be folded, or cut and folded. It cannot be a pre-cut design from a purchased book.

In addition to the required report, there will be an air show to determine the most successful designs for two categories; Time aloft and distance. The designs that score the highest will be awarded extra credit.

I look forward to seeing budding aeronautical engineers at the air show. Good Luck!

Due Date of Report: Monday, May 14, 2007