Glider Project: Construction & Analysis
We built a small glider called "checkmate" to compare aerodynamic theory with real-world flight data. We used MIT's XFOIL to gather airfoil properties, modeled everything the glider in CAD, and crafted our prototype. With a launch rig and structured data collection, We evaluated how our theoretical performance with actual flight behavior. By analyzing factors like stalls, center of mass shifts, and unexpected drag contributions, we analyzed our assumptions and compiled a detailed report on our findings. This project sharpened and tests skills in computational modeling, fabrication, data analysis, and clear technical communication.
Details
- Construction and Optimization: constructed and optimized a glider oriented around the 6412 NACA airfoil; analyzing flight characteristics using MATLAB
- Performance Testing: modeled basic flight performance up to 25 m/s and tested glider up to 12 m/s
- Results Analysis: created a report explaining over 300% divergence from theory; highlighted several potential causes of deviation and likelihoods
What I Learned
- Theory Application: Applications of aerodynamic theory
- Data Analysis: Data collection and analysis methods for physical experiments
- Documentation: Technical report writing and documentation skills
- Comparative Analysis: Analysis of theoretical vs experimental results