Help I have to make an airplne that flys with at least 56Centmeter wing span?

Question

I have to constuct an airplane that will fly ( with out a motor) with at least a 56 centimeter wing span. I dont hve much money and live in mexcio wher materials are hard to find.

Answer 1

Well, I am assuming this is for a physics class. Okay, what you could do... Try buying one of those dinky little styrofoam gliders from any old general store. Measure the wingspan of the model, and then try to see the proportional ratio of your assignment length to the model wingspan length. Then, try to purchase some regular, oh, 1 cm thick styrofoam sheets, and create your own model based on the proportions of the toy model. For example, if your assignment requires a wing span of 4 feet, and the model is 1 foot, then multiply the dimensipns of every part of the toy model by 4. So, divide 56 cm by however many centimeters the wingspan of the toy is and then use that number to multiply against every OTHER part of the toy, and you will have your dimensions. So, if you follow this method, you can reproduce the glider in different dimensions. It should be able to glide just as well as the toy does, so long as the dimensions are right. You may want to ask a family member or neighbor who's good with building and engineering to help you figure out how to match proportions. But this should work. Or, you could just make a giant paper airplane with a posterboard. It could glide, you just need to be very conservative with the way you fold it. I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Perhaps the wing could be constructed by cutting out ribs from thin cardboard or foam from packaging, with plastic straws for the front and back spar . . then glue on some covering paper.
http://wright.nasa.gov/model1902.htm