From Nevada to Kansas by Glider
https://www.weglide.org/flight/978820
#HackerNews #Glider #Travel #Adventure #Journey #Experience #Aviation
The glider now has 12 pounds of lead shot and epoxy added to dead space in the very end of the tail boom.
My initial estimate of volume indicated that I could add 8 - 10 pounds this way. I'm pleasantly surprised, and I didn't make a chocolate covered mess of things as I was pouring this goop into the tail.
I need to add a few more pounds to the tail. Phase two of this project will use lead plate, bolted to the vertical fin spar. (I need to unroll the 1/4-inch plate first, then develop a template to cut the lead.)
I could not add the epoxy/lead shot mix all at once because of the exothermic reaction of epoxy. When mixed epoxy is in a thick blob (instead of a thin layer), it generates enough heat to warm itself...which accelerates the chemical reaction...releasing more heat...further accelerating the reaction.... I have seen epoxy smoking hot because of this, so I added a bit, waited a half hour, checked temperature with an IR non-contact thermometer, added a bit more when it was clear that the exotherm was only very mild, etc. That took a while, but turned out well.
I note that Roto Metals has a discount on some 1-inch lead plate. Get your fork lift ready. No free shipping!
https://www.rotometals.com/lead-sheet-plates/sheet-lead-1-64-lbs-sq-ft/
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Ballast #Math #Density #Exothermic #Chemistry #Thermodynamics #Lead #Epoxy
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Where is the center of gravity of the empty glider located?
If you measure the location of the main wheel and tail wheel (reference to something such as the glider's nose), and the weight each of them carry...you can do the math to answer that question.
Where is the center of gravity when the pilot is in the glider?
Climb in, and then take the same measurements.
Now I know if I need to add trim weights to the nose or tail, and how much.
Determining center of gravity location is critical for safety of flight and good handling characteristics. I'll do these measurements and math more than once so I can be very confident of the results.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Aerodynamics #Math #Mass #Weight #Balance #Safety
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Gliders often go to significant lengths to reduce drag.
My flaperons are driven by a push-pull tube that exits the wing skin and pushes against an external drive horn. There are two of these setups on each wing...four external devices that need fairings.
But they and the flaperons move. That complicates things.
First photo shows one push-pull tube and drive horn without fairings.
Second photo shows the inner/smaller fairing that will eventually be glued into place.
Third photo shows both fairings in place and the flaperon near the limit of its down travel.
Fourth photo shows both fairings and the flaperon approaching the limit of its upward travel.
One fairing of the two pairs on one wing are drying overnight. Tomorrow morning, I will make final adjustments to the remaining inner fairings and then glue them in place.
I'm using RTV silicone, which needs humid air to cure well. It's winter in New Mexico and the air is super dry. I have put a very large pot of water on the wood stove to humidify the air overnight.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Fairing #Drag #Aerodynamics
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1D Conway's Life glider found, 3.7B cells long
https://conwaylife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?&p=222136#p222136
#HackerNews #1D #Life #glider #found #3.7B #cells #long #glider #LifeGame #ConwayCellularAutomata
This video shows the flapperons moving as camber-changing flaps. The two control surfaces move in unison. My flap control system has five settings. The central setting is flaps zero or flaps neutral. Two settings increase the camber more, which is suitable for low speed flight. Two settings decrease camber... this is when the two flapperons move upwards.... and this is suitable for higher speed flight.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Technology #Wing #Aileron #Flap #Flaperon
Adjusting the flaperons.
This video shows them operating as ailerons. I move the control stick side to side.
Note that at max deflection, the control surface moves above neutral position more than it moves below neutral position. This is the principle of differential ailerons. It helps reduce adverse yaw.
The first comment to this toot will be a video showing the motion of the flaperons as camber changing flaps.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Technology #Wing #Aileron #Flap #Flaperon
The glider's flight controls need final rigging/adjustments.
First photo shows that the left and right spoilers are extended the same amount, which is the desired condition.
But we need to check and ensure that they also lock (into the over center position) identically.
Second photo shows the view of one of the spoiler drive arms, as seen through an inspection port. I have added black marks to show when the arm is in the over center position.
How do I adjust the action/throw of the spoilers to ensure they are synchronized? By adjusting the length of push-pull tubes, such as the one I'm pointing to in the third photo.
Now that the spoilers are adjusted, I need to do similar checks and adjustments of the flaperons.
#AvGeek #Aviation #ElectricAircraft #Homebuilt #Glider #DIY #EAA #Technology #Wing #Spoiler
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🕹️ History of Glider for Macintosh / Classic Mac Gaming