DESIGN.BUILD.FLY. (DBF) - RAPID LOW-COST PROTOTYPING OF EXPERIMENTAL FLYING MODELS - Aeronautics i Aerodynamics Basic DBF Hacking Mission-specific DBF

Sep 24, 2026

Upload by Elsa

Rapid low-cost prototyping class content for experimental flying models, guiding builders from foundational aerospace and aerodynamics concepts to mission-driven advanced team design. Covers design-shape communication and three-view sketching, construction methods and materials, and iterative “hacking/prototyping” with take-away flight models. Advanced class emphasizes selecting a mission, considering performance, safety, environment, and regulations, then building a small index flying card model with top sketch diagrams and specification notes, followed by brief presentations and flight demonstrations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time7 min

AccessFree to download

INTRODUCTION (CLASS 1)

Core build-and-fly takeaways

ADVANCED (CLASS 2)

Mission selection and design considerations

AERODYNAMICS & AERONAUTICS

Key terms and definitions

NATURAL FORCES

ARTIFICIAL FORCES

CENTERS AND ANGLES

AIRFOILS

Flight axes and controls

DESIGN: THE SHAPES OF FLIGHT - FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

DESIGN.BUILD.FLY.(DBF RAPID LOW-COST PROTOTYPING OF EXPERIMENTAL FLYING MODELS *AeronauticsiAerodynamics *.Basic DBF*Hacking*.Mission-specific DBF # INTRODUCTION (CLASS 1) Modelers who became Aerospace giants,amazing model aircraft,basic aerodynamics,aircraftforms/functions,communication of design shapes/features,three-view design sketching,buildingmaterials/methods,building/flying the simple Cadet Glider,exploring infinite design variations andhacking/prototyping.This is a somewhat fast-paced fun class,with take-away flying models. # ADVANCED(CLASS 2-ideally for Class 1 graduates) Teams will chose a specific mission(fighter,transport,special purpose,etc).Consider missionfactors(use/users,performance,safety,advanced technologies,environment,regulations,etc)Conceptualize the overall design.Build a small index flying card model.The model will include asketch diagram on the top locating major components/systems and specification notes on thebottom.Teams will give a brief presentation of their model and hopefully demonstrate asuccessful flight.This is a hypersonic-paced,challenging,but do-able,learn-a-lot class AERODYNAMICS &AERONAUTICS AVIATION-The art,science and technology of fight within the atmosphere AEROSPACE-The combination of Aeronautics and Astronautics(Space) AERONAUTICS-The science of fight within the atmosphere AERODYNAMICS-The science of the energies and forces of air in motion AERODYNAMICS/AERONAUTICS-TERMS: *FLOW-(Air)-At subsonic,compressible/transonic,supersonic,hypersonic speeds *LAMINAR FLOW-smooth (vs turbulent) *BOUNDARY LAYER-very thin viscous layer of fow friction on a wing *WIND TUNNELFACTORS-Air velocityldensity.pressure distribution,flow visualization,force,movement *AIRFOIL-A wing/wing-like surface specifically designed to produce lit,thrust or directional stability *CAMBER-The curved part of an airfoil-from leading to trailing edges *CHORD-straight line drawn from leading to trailing edge *ASPECT RATIO-Wing span divided by the mean/average chord *DOWNWASH-Downward movement of air behind of a wing in flight *UPWASH-Upward movement of air ahead of awing in flight *LEADING EDGE-The front part of an airfoil or wing *TRAILING EDGE-The rear part of an airfoil or wing *VORTEX-A spinning column of air created by pressure differences behind the wingtip *WING LOADING-Ratio of aircraft weight to wing area *PROPELLER-similar to a wing but its incidence (pitch),chord,blade,and speed varies from hub to tip # NATURAL FORCES: *GRAVITY-Mutual atraction between the Earth and the aircraft.Diminishes with alitude *DRAG-INDUCED-A result of wing at higher angle to better generate lit at lower speed *DRAG-FORM(PARASITIC)-A result of movement through the air-effect is reduced by streamlining # ARTIFICIAL FORCES: *THRUST-Push and/or pull via jet/prop(or gravity-especially in gliders) *LIFT-As air flow speed increases pressure decreases creating lift across a wing(Bernouli's Law) *TORQUE-if propeller rotating under power,then plane rotates in opposite direction # CENTERS: CENTER OF GRAVITY(CG)-Fulcrum point of balance-(teeter-oter)front to back,side to side of aircraft CENTER OF LIFT (CL)-Fulcrum point of balance(suspended from string)front to back,side to side CENTERS ALIGNED-CG and CL should be closely aligned verticaly for proper balance front to back MOMENT ARMS-"Levers"extending through and out from the CG/CL fulcrum points Relative length relates to fight sensitivity.Longer tail moment-less sensitive.Shorter is more sensitive ANGLES: *DIHEDRAL-The tips pf wing halves or portions angled upward to increase lateral stability /dampen roling *ANHEDRAL-For wings,the haives or tips angle down decreasing stability/enhance rolling-(Harrier jet) *SWEEP-degree of fying surfaces angling forward or rearward *WASHOUTNASHIN-Wing tip rear-twist up(washout-helps resist tip stall)or twist down(washin) *INCIDENCE-angle(+,0,-)of aerodynamic surfaces to f

FAQs

What is the goal of the CLASS 1 introduction in this Design.Build.Fly (DBF) workbook?

CLASS 1 focuses on learning basic aerodynamics and aircraft design concepts while building/flying simple take-away cadet glider-style models through fast-paced, fun prototyping.

What does the CLASS 2 advanced teams assignment require?

Teams choose a specific mission, consider factors like performance, safety, technologies, environment, and regulations, then conceptualize the overall design and build an index flying card model with diagrams and specification notes for a short presentation and flight.

Which aerodynamics terms are defined in the workbook and why are they important?

It defines flow regimes, laminar flow, boundary layer, wind tunnel factors, airfoil geometry, camber/chord/aspect ratio, upwash/downwash, leading/trailing edge, vortex, and wing loading—core vocabulary for predicting forces and stability.

Sep 24, 2026

Upload by Elsa