Mini Staple Sailplane

Step 10: Trim and Fly!

Now its time to enjoy your hard work! Grab your glider by the fuselage and give it a very light toss. Note the direction of flight. If the glider dives, add more up elevator and decrease the dihedral. If the glider pulls up and stalls, decrease the up elevator and increase the dihedral. If the glider curves or spirals in one direction, curl the vertical stabilizer opposite to the direction it turns. If it still spirals, reduce the dihedral of the main wing. Keep repeating the process until the glider flies in the desired direction. If you need help, watch the videos below.

Youtube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e--ra5zWHgA

Comments

[oidion23123]

drooling...can't wait to make it....hope I don't mess it up.....but then, you can never tell with post its.

[lou1458]

Concur with the wingtip post below. I'd say 50% better range and stability. Cut's down on the tendency to loop or spiral.

[LaffyDuck187]

If the plane loops/spirals, just bend the little piece of paper in front of the staple in the direction you want the plane to go(opposite direction of the spiral). It works!

[pmet]

I've also tried the wingtips and have had good results. I'll try to incorporate wingtips in future models.

[Carlito7]

Just when I got mine tweaked it flew into a spiderweb and lay suspended in the web. the daddylongleg was crawling all over it. LOL

[pmet]

Poor spider :D

[HuLkArUn]

its a showcase one..........!

[pmet]

Thanks!

[FrozenIce]

How could u possibly hold the camera and throw the sailplane at the same time! its impossible

[pmet]

It took many tries, believe me :D

[adre76]

Mine looked like a tomahawk land attack missile, rises sky high, and then drops
Anyway, nice little plane

[pmet]

Thanks! I think that the cruise missile flight path is due to excessive up-elevator. Reduce the up-elevator on the horizontal stabilizer (bend the trailing edge a little downward) and increase dihedral (bend the wings more upward). Now, you have a tomahawk that flies straight and level ;-). Also, check out this instructable by Origami Air Enforcer: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-The-Tomahawk-Paper-Airplane/.

[adre76]

Done it, now it flies straight. Thanks

[NecroVoid]

this is amazing! thanks :) one little addition i made was at the end of the main wings, fold up little " winglets " this increases the stability of the glider and increases the range :D

[pmet]

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely include wingtips in future gliders.