Skip to main content

Government officials will never ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call.

Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam.

Institute of Technical Education
Engineering

Design & Build your own Glider

More information on the module on designing and building your own glider.

Explore the wonders of Flight

Have you ever been curious about how planes soar through the sky? This course will teach you the basic principles of flight, as well as the main parts and configurations of aeroplanes. You will also learn about flight control surfaces, giving you a solid understanding of aviation.

Design and build your own glider

You will get hands-on experience by designing and building a wooden glider. Your goal will be to achieve a glide ratio of 2 or higher, applying what you have learned about flight.

Learning outcomes

Unlock the secrets of Airplane Mechanics

By the end of this module, you will know how to identify and describe the parts of an aeroplane and their functions. You will understand the primary flight control surfaces on the wings and tail that help a pilot steer the plane. You will also learn about the four major forces that act on an aircraft during flight.

Create your own high-flying glider

You will explore different wing shapes, configurations, and aspect ratios, along with the principles of gravity and equilibrium. With this knowledge, you will build a wooden glider that achieves a glide ratio of at least 2. These skills will set you on a path to exciting opportunities in aviation and engineering.

Module outline

More information on the module outline

S/N

Module outline

1

Parts of Airplane and Their Functions

  • Identify the major parts of the airplane.

  • Describe the functions of the major parts of the airplane.

  • Identify the various types of airplane configuration.

2

Airplane Flight Control Surfaces

  • Describe the operation of primary flight controls and their effects on aircraft manoeuvres.

3

Four Major Forces Acting on Aircraft During Flight

  • Elaborate on the factors affecting lift, drag, thrust and load.

4

Wing Shapes and Aspect Ratio

  • Describe the different types of wing configurations.

  • Explain the relationship between Bernoulli’s Theorem and the Venturi principle as related to airplanes.

5

Principle of Gravity and Law of Equilibrium

  • Explain the principle of gravity.

  • Understand the laws of lever, force, moment and equilibrium.

6

Design and Construction of Gliders With High Glide Ratio

  • Describe what is glide ratio and its impact on the design of airplanes.

  • To build a glider with minimum glide ratio of 2.

Back to top