Tumblewing gliders are simple paper flying toys made from lightweight telephone directory paper. They are constructed using a template and folded into wings with winglets. When launched in front of a large cardboard paddle and walked behind, the updraft of air keeps the glider aloft, allowing it to tumble along at eye level. With practice, tumblewing gliders can be steered in different directions using the paddle. They provide an inexpensive way for students to learn about flight dynamics.
Tumblewing gliders are simple paper flying toys made from lightweight telephone directory paper. They are constructed using a template and folded into wings with winglets. When launched in front of a large cardboard paddle and walked behind, the updraft of air keeps the glider aloft, allowing it to tumble along at eye level. With practice, tumblewing gliders can be steered in different directions using the paddle. They provide an inexpensive way for students to learn about flight dynamics.
Tumblewing gliders are simple paper flying toys made from lightweight telephone directory paper. They are constructed using a template and folded into wings with winglets. When launched in front of a large cardboard paddle and walked behind, the updraft of air keeps the glider aloft, allowing it to tumble along at eye level. With practice, tumblewing gliders can be steered in different directions using the paddle. They provide an inexpensive way for students to learn about flight dynamics.
Tumblewing gliders are simple paper flying toys made from lightweight telephone directory paper. They are constructed using a template and folded into wings with winglets. When launched in front of a large cardboard paddle and walked behind, the updraft of air keeps the glider aloft, allowing it to tumble along at eye level. With practice, tumblewing gliders can be steered in different directions using the paddle. They provide an inexpensive way for students to learn about flight dynamics.
Brief outline Tumblewing gliders are one of the most enchanting and curious paper flying contraptions ever conceived. They are simple to make, easy to fly and cost absolutely nothing. Constructed from lightweight telephone directory paper, they can be kept aloft almost indefinitely and tumble along on the updraft of air generated by a large sheet of cardboard (the paddle). In very still air and with a little practice, they can be steered in any direction, tumbling along at eyelevel just in front of the pilot. Best flights are achieved in a large, still room (eg school hall or gymnasium).
Front view
Walking keeps the Tumblewing aloft
Tumblewings are kept aloft by the air rushing up and over the cardboard paddle. The winglets keep the gliders forward motion stable. Turn the paddle slowly to steer the Tumblewing in any direction.
Materials and equipment
Cardboard paddles can be constructed from pizza boxes, old corflute signs, storage tub lids or any stiff, lightweight, flat material. Quantity 1 per student 1 per group
Description Strip of telephone directory paper per student Paddles (the more the better)
Preparation Photocopy sufficient quantities of the design templates on page 4 (ten copies yields 30 templates). Each student will require one template to trace onto their strip of telephone directory paper. National Science Week Activities Tumblewing Gliders | Page 1 2009 | ABC Science Online
Folding Instructions 1. Tear a page out of the phone book (make sure its not an important page) 2. Print this page, lay it on top of the phone book paper and trace over the design (opposite) with a ballpoint pen pressing firmly 3. Carefully cut out the tumblewing design
5. Bend the leading edge (front) down slightly and the trailing edge (back) up as illustrated
The tumblewing will only fly straight if it is symmetrical
Winglet
1. Trace this design onto a sheet of phone book paper
2. Cut along the thick lines 3. Fold along the thin lines
4. Fold the winglets (outer edges) up at 90 degrees as
illustrated below
FRONT VIEW 90
90
Winglets must be bent at 90 like this
for a straight flight path
National Science Week Activities Tumblewing Gliders | Page 2
2009 | ABC Science Online
Test Flight Instructions
Check that your tumblewing falls forwards in a straight line
before attempting to fly it with a paddle 1. Hold the tumblewing by the trailing (folded up) edge between your index finger and thumb as shown 2. Release the tumblewing: it should fall forwards and away from you in a straight line, tumbling backwards as it descends 3. If your tumblewing curves to the left or right as it falls, make sure the winglets are both folded up at 90 degrees
Flying Instructions
Flying requires a large, still space such as an empty hall. The
slightest breeze makes steering a tumblewing almost impossible. 1. Youll need a paddle made from a large piece of flat cardboard around 50cm 60cm or bigger (at least as big as the top of a pizza box) 2. Hold the cardboard paddle by the top edge as shown 3. Hold the tumblewing above and slightly in front of the paddle 4. Release the tumblewing so that it falls away from you 5. Quickly change your grip so you are now holding the paddle as shown, with the bottom edge tilted slightly further forward at about 30 degrees
Launching
6. Chase the tumblewing with your paddle, walking at just
the right speed to keep it hovering near the top edge of your paddle steer the tumblewing by turning the paddle
How it works & Tips for flying
As you walk forward, air rushes up and over the paddle. This rising air prevents the tumblewing from falling to the floor. If your tumblewing falls too fast, walk faster or tilt the paddle further forward. If your tumblewing flies up and over the top of the paddle, walk slower.
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Simple Origami Airplanes Mini Kit Ebook: Fold 'Em & Fly 'Em!: Origami Book with 6 Projects and Downloadable Instructional Video: Great for Kids and Adults
Get (Ebook) Space Bomber! Expert-Level Paper Airplanes: 4D an Augmented Reading Paper-Folding Experience by Marie Buckingham ISBN 9781543507942, 1543507948 free all chapters
(Ebook) Air Shark! Novice-Level Paper Airplanes: 4D an Augmented Reading Paper-Folding Experience by Marie Buckingham ISBN 9781543507966, 1543507964 all chapter instant download
