Since the dihedral angles vary from model to model, bend the wing upward until the angle is identical to the angle indicated in the assembly instructions for the particular model When gluing the main wing and horizontal stabilizer to the fuselage, make sure that the center line is properly aligned lengthwise with the center of the fuselage. You will find that if you glue the stabilizer onto the fuselage before gluing the main wing onto the fuselage, assembly will be much easier.
the Challenge Ahead! Meeting SAEINDIA Student Activities Student Convention Enjoy Learn and align with Curriculum
September 2008 Paper Wings Guidelines The importance of gluing the main wing firmly to the fuselage cannot be overemphasized. In order not to leave any gap between the main wing and the body, press down firmly on the center of the main wing about 5 – 6 minutes after gluing. After gluing the main wing and stabilizer onto the fuselage, let it dry thoroughly for 3 – 4 hours. Finishing Touches To make a truly high performance plane, it is important that the cross section of the main wing be curved in such a fashion as to minimize drag, or air resistance, and maximize lift, the upward draft of air.
To make the proper curve, bend the main wing slightly in the manner shown in the figure (this is called cambering the wing). This shape is necessary for top performance. Use the figure on the right as a guide to give an appropriate camber to the main wing. The maximum camber point should be between a distance of 30% and 40% from the front edge of the main wing. Only the main wing is to be cambered. The stabilizer should be left flat. Placing the dihedral angle gauge on the middle of the wing, once again make sure that the dihedral angle is the required one.
To test to see if the center of gravity is properly aligned or not, take an open pair of scissors or tweezers and balance the plain on the two tips at the mark as shown in the figure. All the planes in the Heritage series are designed to have the center of gravity located at the mark. In some cases, however, due to an excess of glue or lacquer on the plane, your may find that the center of gravity is not properly located at the mark. When this the Challenge Ahead! Meeting SAEINDIA Student Activities SAE Page 6 of 31 SAEINDIA SAE Student Convention
Enjoy Learn and align with Curriculum September 2008 Paper Wings Guidelines Happens, it becomes necessary to add some additional weight. To do so, attach a small scrap of the remaining white wings paper lightly to either side of the plane nose or the rear of the fuselage and secure it temporarily with a small amount of glue. Vary the position or size of the attached paper until the center of gravity is located properly and then glue the attached paper firmly to the fuselage. The center of gravity should be located within 1 mm (1/24”) of the mark.
If your paper plane is coated with lacquer, it will become water resistant. Therefore when it lands on wet grass, if you quickly wipe the water off with a soft cloth, you are ready for another flight for preserving the beauty of the white paper, clear lacquer is good, but if your want your plane to be a different colour, your can use colored lacquer. It doesn’t matter whether you spray it on or paint it on with a brush, but in order to keep the plane light and preserve its balance and center of gravity, be careful to coat the plane as thinly and evenly as possible. 2. Flight Instructions
One of the secrets of flying a paper plane well is to view the plane closely from ahead on position and straighter out all warps, bends or twists with your fingers. Inspect your plane thoroughly from the front: (1) Is the fuselage bent? (2) Are both the right and left main wings straight, perfectly matched and are both inclined at the same angle? (3) Is the horizontal stabilizer warped or bent? (4) Is the vertical stabilizer warped or bent? the Challenge Ahead!