Unit 3: High-Flying Foam Glider: The Physics of Flight and Glider Optimization

1. Bernoulli’s Principle: How pressure differences create lift.


2. The 4 Forces of Flight: Lift, Weight, Thrust, and Drag.


3. Flight Control Geometry: How the Rudder, Elevator, and Elevons manipulate the 3 axes of motion (Pitch, Roll, Yaw).


4. Aspect Ratio: How wing shape influences efficiency and drag.


5. Center of Gravity (CG): Why weight distribution is critical for stable flight.

1. Analyze Airfoils: Shape foam wings to test lift theories.


2. Prototype: Build a series of gliders using foam board, balsa, or insulation foam.


3. Balance & Ballast: Use pennies or clay to find the "Sweet Spot" for the Center of Gravity.


4. Test & Iterate: Conduct flight trials, recording distance, airtime, and flight path tendencies.


5. Control Surface Tuning: Manually adjust flaps and rudders to correct "death spirals" or "stalling."

Students will participate in a final "Flight Day" competition (Distance or Duration). They must submit a "Flight Log" that shows at least three design iterations, including a force diagram of their final glider and a data-backed explanation of how they corrected a specific flight issue.