How to Make a Balsa Wood Plane Go Faster
Many elementary and middle school age children build balsa wood planes for science class. Constructing a plane teaches children about physics and engineering principles. In fact, a basic balsa wood plane can be customized to move faster than the standard store bought kits. The basic plane components can have added features, such as a propeller, and a streamlined shape for fast operation.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Balsa wood airplane kit
- Sandpaper
- Propeller
- Nails
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Scrap wood pieces
- Glue
Instructions
-
-
1
Sand the upper and lower surfaces of the balsa wood plane's wings with sandpaper. Create a thinner wing for reducing drag during flight.
-
2
Sand the front edge of each wing into a smooth curve using sandpaper. The smooth curve will allow a more streamlined movement for the passing air during flying maneuvers.
-
-
3
Remove any unnecessary accessories from the plane, such as decorative under-wing engines. Any protruding items without any functionality impede air flow, causing the plane to move more slowly in the air.
-
4
Add a propeller to the plane's front nose with a nail and hammer. Verify that the propeller spins freely after installation. The propeller provides the necessary thrust to move faster in the air.
-
5
Verify that all screws securing the plane's fuselage and wings are tightly screwed in with a screwdriver. Any loose screws will cause the plane to wobble, generating drag and possibly warping the flying direction.
-
6
Test the plane's flight by launching it into the air. Add weight to the plane if the air flow is too strong and causes the plane to fly out of control. Small pieces of wood can be glued to the plane's fuselage for additional weight to stabilize the flying action.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Make sure to fly the plane in an open area, such as a field, with no nearby electrical power lines. A flying plane can easily become tangled in power lines, causing possible electrocution to the retrieving party.
