A Very Fast Electric Line Aircraft.

I have been building this project for many years with students in my tech classes.  It is easy to build and flies very fast... even fast enough to impress students! You can tailor the project so that it is a simple 2 class assignment or you can build it into something with all sorts of hand-on-learning. I've tied this project into electronics, math and aeronautics. Best of all the kids learn all this stuff through experience and learning with their hands. I'll be using this project next rotation with my grade 7 math kids AND my grade 6 tech classes. 

The reason it is so fast is simple.... it doesn't carry the battery. Power is supplied by the wires leading to the airplane. This means you can get crazy with motors and props but not have to worry about weight.


Here's what you'll need. I'll go over the details in the text but i always give options and ways to make it simpler or more complicated...

For the Airplanes You'll need:

-An assortment of small electric DC motors... 3-9 volts...
-An assortment of propellors... whatever you can find.
-Thin, 3mm foam sheets or foam trays from your butcher.
-Balsa stick, about 16" long by 3/16" by 1/4"
-Wire 22G stranded, about 2 feet.
-5 minute epoxy
-1/16" welding wire or piano wire
-small plastic wheels.

Tools:

-Wire cutters
-X-Acto knife
-Sharpie, rulers
-small clamps
-soldering pencil, solder.
-Power supply... a variable type with at least 12volts at 2 amps would be good. If not around, just use a battery.
-If you want to get into electronics, at least one multimeter.

For the Tether Pole You'll need:

-1" dowel 3 feet long, 1/4" dowel  1 foot
-3' square 1/2" plywood
-2 skateboard bearings
-22 G enameled wire... about 40 feet.
-22 G stranded wire... about 30 feet.
-5 minute epoxy
-A handful of wood screws.

Tools:
-Hand drill with an assortment of bits.
-a saw if you need to cut the wood base.
-soldering pencil and solder.

tethered airplane - The best home videos are here

Step 1: The Layout and Design

I go over the basics of airplane parts and design first. I won't get into that because 8 seconds on the web will get you some amazing information. I set up a TV and show kids Youtube clips. Some pretty great stuff is available. Spend a bit of time with examples and expectations than get the students to do some research. I know its been done a million times but get the groups to take notes and present what they have found to the class. As we all know, if you can teach something to someone else you need to truly understand it. This is also a great way of finding out which kids actually DID the research...  :-)

What i will supply is a set of worksheets i use for basic design layout. Here's the basic proportions worksheet. It is attached as a WORD document, too.


Basic Airplane Proportions…

The wing length should be about 5-6 times the width. The width of the wing from leading edge to trailing edge is called the CHORD.

The length of the body of the airplane (called the FUSELAGE) should be about 70-75% of the wing length. 

The distance from the leading edge of the wing to the propeller should be about 15% of the wingspan. (wing length)

The distance from the leading edge of the wing to the horizontal stabilizer should be about 3 times the chord of the wing.

The horizontal stab should be about 25% of the wing area.

The vertical stabilizer should be about 10% of the wing area.

The plane should balance at about 25-33% of the wing chord.


For older kids i will discuss the proportions than let them loose. I make sure they do everything with paper and pencil first, check over the designs than give them foam. If you need a more step-by-step here is another worksheet i use for kids to setup the design...

Comments

[awesomecreations]

I like electric aeroplanes but I have 3 "Cox Baby-Bee" 049 cc glow engines which I would use if I ever did build a pylon racer. I have nothing to put them in now, nor do I have the correct glow plugs, nor fuel. Still cool considering how small these internal combustion engines are! AND they started being built in 1956. Some of the more rare variations of them are collectible now and have sold for more than $1000 which is a good investment for something you could buy 30 years ago for about $6.50

[jetringer]

I do something very similar with my 8th graders and they love it. I designed my own power pole but I must admit I like yours better. It seems much simpler thus less chance of breakdowns during class. I might be borrowing your design.

[rimar2000]

Very interesting and funny, thanks for sharing it.

[stumitch]

my pleasure!

[maximzodal]

Wow, I wish I my kids could have been in your class. Unfortunately, few teachers engage kids like you do. One of just a few teachers I remember is Mr. Mann my Jr High metal shop teacher. I still use projects I built in his class. Like him, your students will always remember you. I can't wait to see your next project.

[stumitch]

thanks SO much! it really means alot to have positive feedback. i've posted a guide called "great projects to do with kids" if you want to check out some of the other crazy things we've done in my classes.

[rickharris]

Round the pole flying has been well knows since the 50's :-) But for all that a lot of fun.

I used to do it as an after school class in the gym - Lots of room for linger lines.

On a still day you can do this in the garden with a car battery and slot car controller.

Well worth the effort.

Great project.

[IZNOGOUD974]

Great work, nice to see kids experimenting and enjoying it.

[stumitch]

thanks! they really are excited about this one for sure.