zsurfer

Instructions for Building a Walkalong Glider from Zepron Material

Step 1) Cut out the pattern along the solid lines. Place the pattern on a 1'X2'X1/16" 24"x12" Thin Zepron (from Air Dynamics) so that the tail is parallel to the 1' end. Any curvature in the sheet should be exploited for dihedral in the finished glider.

Step 2) Mark each vertex of the pattern holding the pattern in place with the other hand.

Step 3) Connect the marks by drawing lines between the marks with a straight edge. This transfers the pattern to the Zepron sheet.

Step 4) Cut the pattern from the sheet using a knife or sissors.

Step 5) If there is curvature in the Zepron sheet, place the pattern on the convex side, otherwise either side will do. Make marks using a pen for each of the bottom surface fold vertexes (3 in all) where they meet along the axis or wing root.

Step 6) Transfer the pattern of bottom folds to the sheet by drawing lines parallel to the leading edges of each wing extending from the vertex points to the wingtips.

Step 7) Facilitate a straight line fold by impressing a groove along each fold line using a straight edge pressed against each line at a 45 degree angle to the surface.

Step 8) Starting with the leading edge line, fold the first angle starting from the wingtip and moving towards the wing root. At the wing root, fold both sides together to compress the nose material. Do the next fold back in a similar manner. Finish with the 3rd and final fold.

Step 9) Turn the sheet over and make straight edge grooves for the top folds as shown in the pattern to create the elevators. Fold the elevators in a similar manner as for the bottom folds.

Step 10) Make sure there is dihedral or an upturn in each wing. This can be accomplished by grasping each wing close to the wing root and gently bending each wing upward to create an upward fold running along the wing root.

Step 11) A standard paper clip can be attached to the nose for ballast. A more forward moment can be achieved by bending the paper clip straight and mounting it with tape so as to protrude forward in front of the nose.

Copyright Phil Rossoni 2011