People Creating Gliders that Mimic Lifeforms

Beautiful Bird Walkalong Gliders from David Aronstein

Dr. David Aronstein is famous for his balsa and tissue walkalong glider creations. But it was a surprise when he made some foam gliders. And so worth the wait; check out his beautiful bird creations! ( Click for larger images)     Read more about David Aronstein

Thomas Buchwald

Thomas Buchwald is a "Technik" teacher of students in grades 6 to 10 in Germany He is a great friend, though I have yet to meet him in person. Thomas and his students make wonderfully creative engineering projects. Lately he has turned his attention to creating bionic walkalong gliders: pterodactyls (pterosaurs), manta rays and other sea creatures. I particularly like the sea creatures. 

Here you can find the PDF file, including four patterns. It is written in German. "Bergfalte" means "mountain fold"; "talfalte" means "valley fold"; "oben" means "top"; "hochbiegen" means "bend up" and "leicht hochbiegen" means "slightly bend up."

Read more about Thomas Buchwald

Mr. Chen Wenhwa from Taiwan

Mr. Chen Wenhwa is a primary school teacher who also volunteers at a science museum and works with the Yuanzhe Foundation to promote science education. Chen makes the elegant flying creatures: birds with long, graceful wings, dragonflies, bats, butterflies, etc. I was very happy that he sent me some foam gliders. They are beautiful and fly very well, so efficient that I can fly with only hands.

Alsomitra (Alsomitra macrocarpa)

Alsomitra (Alsomitra macrocarpa), also known as the Java Cucumber vine is a vine with remarkable design for spreading its seeds.