EZ Power Pack Pizza Box

[BadAir]

My coworker and I won a competitive grant to build planes with a our high school students this spring.

We are locked into using the EZ Power Pack. The kids with be coming up with their own designs (with preparation and assistance). Cardboard is going to make it a challenge, but I think is achievable.

I'd appreciate any input or assistance.

 

[alan0043]

Hi BadAir,

It's great to hear about your project with the students. Adams Ready Board can help with the project. It will keep your weight down. Not sure what country you are in. Best of luck.

 

[AIRFORGE]

These links may help.

Flite Test STEM
Flite Test Store - STEM/STEAM
Flite Test Store - STEM - Lessons & Classroom Kits
Flite Test Store - STEM - EZ Planes
Flite Test Store - STEM - STEM Gliders
Institutions & Educators

Cardboard may be too heavy for the desired results with the EZ Power Pack.
Flite Test Store has Flite Test Maker Foam Board for about $2.80/sheet.
You can find Adams Readi-Board foam board at local Dollar Tree stores for about $1.25/sheet.

An all up weight (AUW) of ~60 grams or less is best.
Keeping the motors approximately 6" apart or more will help performance.

FT Forum community designed EZ Pack Plans Index may help with design ideas.

 

[BadAir]

Cardboard is going to make it difficult.

Unfortunately, I didn't write the grant. What made it into the final proposal that got approved wasn't what I intended. It is actually parts of three different activities that we discussed.

The long and short of it is, I'm pretty well stuck.

 

[AIRFORGE]

Cardboard is going to make it difficult.

Unfortunately, I didn't write the grant. What made it into the final proposal that got approved wasn't what I intended. It is actually parts of three different activities that we discussed.

The long and short of it is, I'm pretty well stuck.

In that case, look for thinner, stiffer, lighter cardboard. A more rigid posterboard may work, too.
Good luck! Keep us posted, please!

 

[Tench745]

Does cardboard have to be the only construction material, or can you supplement with other things? Maybe cardboard/cardstock fuselage and balsa or foam wings?

 

[BadAir]

Does cardboard have to be the only construction material, or can you supplement with other things? Maybe cardboard/cardstock fuselage and balsa or foam wings?

There isn't any requirement per service, but using the pizza box was part of what got us the grant, so there needs to be at least some follow through.

 

[AIRFORGE]

There isn't any requirement per service, but using the pizza box was part of what got us the grant, so there needs to be at least some follow through.

The pizza box requires far more power than the EZ power pack can produce. You'll need to scale down and minimize design considerably.

 

[BadAir]

Something flat and simple like these should be about right weigh:
Could increase lift with KFM airfoil made of butcher tray foam.

 

[BadAir]

The pizza box requires far more power than the EZ power pack can produce. You'll need to scale down and minimize design considerably.

I didn't mean to use the FT Slice design, but the pizza box as material.

 

[AIRFORGE]

I didn't mean to use the FT Slice design, but the pizza box as material.

The cardboard is very heavy for the limited EZ pack power. Foam board will work, but pizza box type cardboard is going to be heavy.

 

[BadAir]

The cardboard is very heavy for the limited EZ pack power. Foam board will work, but pizza box type cardboard is going to be heavy.

I know, but there isn't anything to do but make the best of it.
It isn't like I can pay for dozens of transmitters, receivers motors, electronics, etc. on my pay.
I have to wait for the first of the month to order a kit so we can try to make something work.

I think I should be able to make it fly or at least fall with style. That's all that is really required.
We can do it next year without the cardboard.

 

[Foamforce]

I’ll bet it can be done. The v2 has more power than v1. You could probably reduce weight by skeletonizing the cardboard and covering with packing tape. Need to maximize wing and minimize structure. It might only fly in near zero wind, but I’ll bet it could fly. I almost feel like trying. Almost. 🙂

 

[BadAir]

Should anyone be interested, a Domino's medium pizza lid is about 38 grams with the flaps removed and a little over 140 square inches. This is 1.42 times the mass of Adams Readi Board with the paper on.

 

[bisco]

pizza box airplane search

 

[BadAir]

I’ll bet it can be done. The v2 has more power than v1. You could probably reduce weight by skeletonizing the cardboard and covering with packing tape. Need to maximize wing and minimize structure. It might only fly in near zero wind, but I’ll bet it could fly. I almost feel like trying. Almost. 🙂

I'd love having as many people as possible working out solutions. I only have three months. It may seem like a bunch of time, but two jobs, family and other responsibilities keep me going.


I think we will be indoors.

 

[BadAir]

pizza box airplane search

With enough power, anything can fly.

 

[Piotrsko]

With enough wing area, you don't need much power.

 

[alan0043]

Just want to throw out this idea. Make to planes of the same design. One plane from pizza box material and the second from Adam's Ready Board. Compare the two in flight. You are still with in the rules. . Have fun.

 

[BadAir]

With enough wing area, you don't need much power.

Giant cardboard wings are heavy. Power is fixed, but I think I can make it work.