Make This Plane

sandblaster

Senior Member
Watching soccer with grand boys and this sea gull flies over low and slow. Wonder how a plane with wings like a sea gull would fly. How about making a plane look like a sea gull and see how it flies. Wings on sea gull are upside down to what most models are. Be very interesting and somewhat of a challenge probably, interesting science/discover project.
 

colorex

Rotor Riot!
Mentor
Maybe a challenge to make a plane which moves by flapping its wings?

RC Ornithopter?

sh2_12.jpg
 

sandblaster

Senior Member
Thanks pgerts for the response and great reading. This photo is what got me thinking.

http://flitetest.com/forum/showthread.php?244-OFFICIAL-Bixler-thread!!!/page7

Sea gulls are amazing birds to watch. They are great gliders and do great in wind to a point, then they all set. Guess watching such creatures is what makes man want to fly.

Seems the gull wing had mixed reviews. Looking at the above photo it shows how the Sea gull's wing is different then most of the gull wing airplanes. Sometimes we cannot fully copy what nature has.
 

earthsciteach

Moderator
Moderator
Back in the '80's, a group made an RC pterodactyl that was propelled by flapping wings. It was steered by turning its head. They flew it over the National Mall. It was quite an impressive sight.
 

pgerts

Old age member
Mentor
You do normally control the orithocopter with the tail as usual.
Up-down
Tilt sideways.
There are old drawings if somewone wants to build from scratch.
A little flapping and gear sounds.
 

pgerts

Old age member
Mentor
Sea gulls are amazing birds to watch. They are great gliders and do great in wind to a point, then they all set. Guess watching such creatures is what makes man want to fly.
You are often flying together with the gulls on a sea slope. You can do a lot of figures like the gulls with the right plane. Use the whole wings as rudders instead of just ailerons is one thing.

Soaring with the eagles are just as nice but you need a bigger plane to get high enough and still be able to see it.