SST 2019 S2-05 ISS Group D: Annex A - Group Research Proposal

Investigative Skills in Science
Research Proposal Form

Project Title: Investigation on the effect of wing design on the flight distance of a model
glider.

Class

S2-05

Group:

SN	Name of student	Email
1	Chan Keng Yeow	chan_keng_yeow@s2018.ssts.edu.sg
2	Chong Wen hao Cedric	chong_wen_hao_cedric@s2018.ssts.edu.sg
3	Tan Zhi Yuan	tan_zhi_yuan@s2018.ssts.edu.sg

Type of research:
X	Test a hypothesis: Hypothesis-driven research
	Measure a value: Experimental research (I)
	Measure a function or relationship: Experimental research (II)
	Construct a model: Theoretical sciences and applied mathematics
	Observational and exploratory research

Category of research:	Sub-category:
Energy and Transportation	Aerodynamics
Reference	https://sst2019-s205-iss-d.blogspot.com/

Research Plan

Project Title: Investigation on the effect of design on the flight distance of a model glider.

1. RATIONALE: Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research
problem and explain why this research is important and if applicable, explain any societal
impact of your research. (500 words)

Our research is on different types of airfoils and wing types to benefit the fixed-wing drone
industry. Current airfoils and shapes are more or less standardized. Hence we are looking
forward to discovering different types of airfoils to help in various sectors such as longer
sustained flight or faster speeds. This will benefit different types of fixed wing drones in the
industry. With a more efficient wing design, a powered fixed-wing drone can fly farther due
to a more efficient wing requiring less energy to generate lift.

We found out that lift is directly proportional to wing area. The amount of lift generated by
an object depends on the size and weight of the object. Lift is one of four aerodynamic
forces (the other being weight, drag and trust) and therefore depends on the pressure
variation of the air around the body as it moves through the air. The total aerodynamic
force is equal to the pressure times the surface area around the body. Lift is the component
of this force perpendicular to the flight direction. Like the other aerodynamic force, drag, the
lift is directly proportional to the area of the object.

The angle which the glider is launched from will also affect the distance the glider flies. If the
glider pitches up too much, it will only gain more altitude and not distance. If the glider is
launched with a downward pitch, it will hit the ground before covering a substantial distance.
The tension created by the bungee cord is also a contributing factor to how far the glider will fly.

Our investigation will be covering types of wings and their effect on aerodynamic efficiency.
We will be testing out Delta wings, Compound Delta, Swept wings, Swept wings with winglets,
Constant chord, Constant chord with winglets.

2. RESEARCH QUESTION(S):

2.1 Research question being addressed

Which wing design help the plane to glide the farthest?

2.2 Hypotheses

The hypothesis is that the Swing wing type wing will fly the furthest.

2.2.1 Independent variable

Wing design

2.2.2 Dependent variable

Flight Distance

2.2.3 Controlled variables

(a) Fuselage type

(b) Wind condition

(d) Angle of launch

(e) Height before launch

2.3 How is this based on the rationale described above?

If our hypothesis is proven correct, then we will know what design to use when developing
future prototypes.

3. Method

3.1 Equipment list:

Balsa wood (30 pieces)
Bungee Cord (1 piece, 1.4 meters)
Cyanoacrylate Glue (4 tubes)
PVC pipes (5 30cm, 4 23cm, 4 20cm, 2 55cm, 2 10cm)
PVC pipe joints (5 “T” joints and 6 “L” joints)

3.2 Diagrams

Figure 1: Experimental setup for the testing of different wing design

Figure 2: Six different Wing Design

3.3 Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection

1. Make the glider launcher with the PVC pipe
2. Attach Bungee cord
3. Use a spring balance to measure 4kg of weight
4. Mark the 4kg mark
5. Make 6 different gliders all with different wing designs (Figure 2)
6. Make a fuselage that is the same dimensions and shape
7. Launch it with a launcher at 1 meter above the field at a 5-degree angle towards the field
8. Measure distance with a measuring tape
9. Repeat steps 2-3 three times
10. Repeat steps 2,3,4 with 5 different gliders

3.4 Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.

7. Tabulate the data and calculate the average distance for all 6 gliders

8. Plot a histogram of the average distance the glider flew against the type of wing design

9. From the histogram, we can find out which wing design gives the furthest range.

4. Risk, Assessment and Management: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions to be taken.

Table 1: Risk Assessment and Management table

Risk	Assessment	Management
Somebody may get hit by the glider while we are testing it.	High	We should allocate an area where people are not allowed to enter it to keep them from getting hit.
We may hurt ourselves when we are making our glider as we are making it as the wood may give us a splinter	High	We should use sandpaper to smoothen the cut edges when we are handling the wood or when we are making the glider.
When we use a pen knife to cut the wood, we may cut ourselves while handing the penknife	Medium	We should cut the balsa wood with a proper penknife and cut the balsa wood on a cutting mat.
Bungee cord may hit someone when we are arming the launchpad	Low	Make sure no one is standing in front of the launchpad when we are arming it.