How to Build Sailplane Spoilers
A hand-held sailplane flying too fast may be severely damaged if it runs into an object while in flight. Help control your sailplane by adding spoilers to the wings. Sailplane spoilers are small strips of material added to the wings that automatically help slow down the plane and avoid excessive speed. The basic process for adding spoilers to sailplanes is essentially the same for all planes.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the length of the wings on both sides, from wing tip to the body. Measure the width of the wing as well. Subtract 2 inches from the length measurement, and then divide the width in two. This will give you the dimensions for your spoiler.
-
2
Draw a rectangle on the plastic using a pencil. Mark out the sides of the rectangle with your tape measure, to ensure they are the same as the spoiler measurements you made earlier.
-
-
3
Cut out the rectangle using your circular saw. Place this rectangle on the plastic, and then trace around it to make another spoiler of the same size. Cut out the second spoiler using your circular saw.
-
4
Lay glue along one of the wide edges of one of your spoilers. Add the glue to about one-eighth of the wing’s edge. Place the spoiler on the wing of your plane 1 inch down from the tip of the wing and halfway up the width of the wing.
-
5
Hold the wing in place as the glue dries. Release the wing once the glue has dried enough to hold spoiler to the wing.
-
6
Blow gently under the spoiler after the glue has dried. Watch it to make sure that it flies upwards as you blow, as it is essential that the spoiler move up and down as your plane flies. Repeat the spoiler gluing process on the other side of the wing. Fly your plane to make sure the spoilers stay on as it flies. Use stronger glue if the spoilers fall off during flight.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
