WHAT IS A GLIDER?

A glider is a light aircraft designed to fly without the use of an engine. Gliders
are graceful aircrafts, as some say they are the closest humans can get to
soaring like birds.
Different types of Gliders
Paper airplane: Simplest form of gliders made from folded papers
Hang glider: Fabric airfoil is stretched over a streamlined frame and the singe
pilot is suspended form a harness from the glider airframe. The pilot shifts their
body weight to control the flight.
Sailplane: A lightweight aircraft, which has a similar design style to an engine
powered aircraft. They are designed to climb efficiently in rising air so can glide
for long distances at high speeds.
Wings
Gliders have longer, narrower wings than conventional aircrafts. This allows
them to produce more lift and make them more efficient for gliding. Slim wings
means the plane cannot carry heavy loads.
Similar to conventional airplanes controls, as a single stick between pilots legs
controls the ailerons and elevators, and the rudder is controlled using foot
pedals.
Body
The body is designed to be lightweight, thin and streamlined. This shape also
allows the aircraft to soar through the air more efficiently.
Modern gliders are made from fiberglass & carbon fiber as these are smoother
than other materials such as wood and aluminum.
Control surfaces

Design the wing

Curved shape of wings means air pressure is lower on top of wings (as the air
takes longer to pass over the curve).
Air pressure underneath the wing is higher as it can pass straight under wing.
This dynamic creates more lift under wings. As glider wings are longer and
narrower, they produce more lift efficiently.
Staying in the air
Glide ratios
Tell you how far a glider can travel compared to the altitude it has to drop.
Modern gliders can have ratios up to 60:1 (That meaning if they start an
altitude of 1 mile, they can glide a distance of 60 miles).
Ridge Lift
Create by winds blowing against mountains, hills or other ridges. As air reaches
mountain it is redirected upwards & forms a band of lift.
Thermal lift
Air near the ground is heated by the sun, expands, and rises. Pilots keep an
eye out for terrain which absorb heat rapidly- such as buildings, car-parks and
rocky terrains. Cumulus clouds and birds gliding can also be sign of thermal lift.
A variometer on a glider dashboard notifies pilot their rate of climb or descent.
Uses static pressure to detect changes in altitude. If glider is rising static
pressure drops (as air pressure decreases the higher you go). If glider is
sinking, static pressure rises.

Why Weight Matters

Heavier gliders sink faster but do so at higher speed. In addition, order to glide
faster they can hold up to 500 pounds of water.
However, heavier planes have reduced climb rates, therefore if pilot cannot
find suitable lifts the flight duration will be reduced.
Pilots can drop loads of water through the wings to reduce weight so plane can
climb altitude more efficiently (or come in for slower landing).