Scioly.org

For the stuff I build, just balsa (CAREFULLY selected) and very thin mylar film.

The planes I'm referencing are called Ministicks (7 inch span, capable of flying 15 minutes or so) and EZBs (12 inch span, capable of flying 20 to 25 minutes). See http://www.indoorduration.com/ and dig around the site for more information on these.
Here's an EZB flying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCO8eXfN-tQ
Here's a Ministick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNhbAP3AgiY

Note, there's a level of craziness beyond this. F1Ds weigh about a gram, 55 cm span, and fly 30 to 40 minutes on a rubber band. These are mostly balsa and mylar, but do use some exotic stuff like .003 diameter boron wire. Dig around the Indoor Duration site above for F1D info and for some beautiful videos of these at the recent world championship see: http://www.indoorduration.com/

Comment on the recent world champs. Two of the US Seniors, and both juniors got started in this hobby through Science Olympiad Wright Stuff!

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

I am definitely no in the same league as Jander. Hopefully the students will be able to get close to the 2g. Weight is the most important factor for a glider followed by trim. They will not get there on the first tries. Will be saving the really good wood for later versions.

jander14indoor wrote:For the stuff I build, just balsa (CAREFULLY selected) and very thin mylar film.

The planes I'm referencing are called Ministicks (7 inch span, capable of flying 15 minutes or so) and EZBs (12 inch span, capable of flying 20 to 25 minutes). See http://www.indoorduration.com/ and dig around the site for more information on these.
Here's an EZB flying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCO8eXfN-tQ
Here's a Ministick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNhbAP3AgiY

Note, there's a level of craziness beyond this. F1Ds weigh about a gram, 55 cm span, and fly 30 to 40 minutes on a rubber band. These are mostly balsa and mylar, but do use some exotic stuff like .003 diameter boron wire. Dig around the Indoor Duration site above for F1D info and for some beautiful videos of these at the recent world championship see: http://www.indoorduration.com/

Comment on the recent world champs. Two of the US Seniors, and both juniors got started in this hobby through Science Olympiad Wright Stuff!

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

Thanks, Jeff. I've had a quick look. What is the boron wire used for ?

Boron fibers are used for local stiffening. Typically a couple on either side of the motor stick to stiffen, and now on either side of the wing spars to stiffen. Allows use of a wider range of wood for the spars as the stiffness comes from the fibers, not the wood so much.

Note, for SO, we've tried to write the rules to specifically keep boron OUT of use.

Boron has some unique handling hazards we didn't want to risk with students. When you cut it, it is so stiff and hard it tends to shatter throwing splinters a long way if not done properly. These are very sharp and painful if you get one under your skin. Almost impossible to see and remove, the pain stays until your body eventually encysts the boron and spits it out. Not really life threatening as the boron is pretty non-reactive, but very uncomfortable.

If you want more details, dig around the indoor duration site and the Yahoo Indoor Construction group.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI