BALSA PLANE PROJECT

Version 1.0 Due Friday, April 7th

Project requirements:

1) Start with a sketch of your plane.... this is a free-hand, general idea of what you're plane will look like. Keep in mind:

  • Balance -- wing length is key. Make your winds equal length!
  • Balance -- where will you put your wings in relation to the body of the plane? Too far forward and your plane will nose down. To far back and your nose will push up.
  • How big will your elevator be?
  • How big will your tail/rudder be?
  • Will you be able to adjust your wings? Your tail? Your elevator?

Please let me see your sketch when you're done; you'll need to hold on to that for your final plane portfolio project.

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2) Now please create a SCALE drawing. Just like with the tetrahedron project, we'll make sure to make our best engineering diagram:

  • NO freehand drawing/lines/curves
  • Use a ruler or some other straight-edge to make lines
  • Use a protractor or some other curved edge to make curves
  • Label all appropriate lengths
  • Indicate the type of material you'll use in construction your plane

3) Now please create a SCALE pattern for each part of your plane that you need to cut out from the balsa wood. Take EXTRA care to make sure that your measurements for your pattern are precise.

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4a) List 3 different problems that you anticipate MAY be a problem with your plane

4b) Now suggest possible solutions to those 3 different problems that you listed in 4b (full sentences please)

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5) Cut out the balsa and build your plane

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6a) Test your plane GENTLY. Keep a brief diary of all of your tests and additions, trimmings, adjustments that you had to make to the plane and WHY you made each of those adjustments

6b) We want to have a gentle competition at the end of the project. You can't do that with a smashed up plane

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7) Wrap-up

Please address the following prompts using IQIA (Include the Question In the Answer) and in full sentences:

a) How well did your plane perform?

b) Did you make changes?

c) How well did your changes work?

d) What would you do differently next time?