Category: Uncategorized

František in the Czech Republic

Slater Harrison

František in the Czech Republic

I received this picture and video from František, a young man in the Czech Republic. František cut his own foam, experimented with the Baby Bug and Thompson Jagwing gliders; and he created this elegant, charming biplane from 2 Jagwings. His glider also has a tail, and his video shows very well the challenge. If the updraft of air hits the glider more in the back or the front, then the glider dives or stalls. I have asked František to experiment with holding the board at a less steep angle and see if it is any easier to fly. David Aronstein has created many walkalong glider designs with tails, and in his interview did a great job of explaining the challenges and how to mitigate them. Thomas Buchwald , Mike Thompson and Heinrich Eder have all created cool walkalong glider designs with tails.

Ashutosh Bhakuni from India

Slater Harrison

Contrary to what I’d hoped, I rarely get substantial feedback about walkalong gliders; but when I do, it’s precious. Ashutosh Bhakuni has provided the most detailed and helpful feedback—from a beginner learning to make and fly gliders, to best strategies for teaching groups to fly. Based on the insight gained in our discussions, I’ve set about making a new instructional video series about walkalong gliders (a work in progress and will be for months to come).

Our correspondence grew to great friendship. I learned that Ashutosh was volunteering for a youth development group as he attained his degree in computer engineering. Instead joining a lucrative IT company, he ‘downgraded’ himself by getting an MA in social sciences and joined an NGO’s hands-on science program. I admire him so much, and not just for his work bringing hands-on science experiences into schools; Ashutosh has also expanded my awareness of social justice issues and interesting things in the world.

Ashutosh's Facebood post and YouTube channel

Justin in California

Slater Harrison

Justin in California said that he got the foam gliders for his 3 boys, but it’s clear that he gets as much of a kick out of flying walkalong gliders as his kids! I also like that his video shows that the gliders are slow and maneuverable enough that you can fly them in a house–not just in a school or gym.

Justin made and flew one of the paper rotating designs first before getting foam gliders. Paper is free and people who work with that kind of glider first seem to have a really easy time with foam gliders–even if they struggle with the paper ones.

Bill Kuhl: Sharing the Right Stuff

Slater Harrison
The article was in the May 2018 issue of Model Aviation

The greatest compliment comes from a person who takes the time to say that you made a difference in their life. Bill Kuhl’s (pronounced “cool”) website has helped many a young person and teacher get started with flying models. And he has mentored many people individually online as well. Check out this article about a young person whom Bill advised for a Science Olympiad project when she was in middle school with no flight experience. Now she is a student at Virginia Tech and starting a summer internship at Boeing!

Square Wheels!

Slater Harrison

The Exploratorium’s square wheels that roll smoothly are amazing! And now middle school science teacher Doug Stith has developed the concept even more. Would triangles work? Can we make the axle from a laser pen and record the movement on phosphorescent paper? What roller would work on triangular steps? Doug always has the integrity to give a shout-out to the people who started the idea, then he takes it in really interesting new directions.