Reusable Rocket Glider

Hello! This is my contest entry and instructable for the make it fly student design challenge. I built a simple and reusable foam rocket glider that can be adjusted and customized easily, and designed it using Fusion 360 (If the nose cone looks funny, it's probably because i made it using automated modeling as a experiment). I attend Spring Station Middle school as a 6th grader.

Launch Video below:

-Cheap dollar store Foam glider, approximately 22 inches (Make sure it is stripped of any extra components or weights!

-Model rocket engines, I used the 1/2A3-4T Engines by Estes. (You can buy these of amazon or at craft stores like Hobby Lobby)

-Cardstock Paper

-Glue, use foam-safe glue to percent melting during flight for max reusability.

-Estes rocket launch controller

-Some plywood or cardboard to use as a launch ramp. (The wood may get burned, so be careful with what you use!)

-Large box (Cardboard and plastic boxes typically work.)

-Weights (You can find weights specifically for planes at hobby stores, but screws or bolts will still work fine)

-Tape

-Paint, Markers, and stickers. (Optional!)

-Gloves

-Ruler

In order to keep the engine in place, you'll need to create a engine holder. Take a sheet of cardstock paper and turn it lengthwise, then cut a strip of paper around the same length as the engine. Take your unused engine and wrap the paper strip around it, making sure the side of the engine with a hole in it is extruding out. Wrap it tightly, but not so tight that the engine won't fit. Then tape the strip around the engine and remove the engine.

If your Glider is pre assembled, skip this step. If not, glue the glider together using the steps shown on the package, but use foam-safe glue to prevent melting during flight. Give the glider a test throw. If the glider is doing odd flips, spins, or sudden turns, check to see if your glider has adjustable elevators or rudders. If so, adjust and test them until your glider is able to fly straight. If the elevators and rudders will not adjust, use a hobby knife, pocketknife, or sharp scissors to remove them.

Using a knife (Pocketknives and hobby knives work well!) Cut a whole about 2 cm deep into the back of the glider, making sure it is centered. Make sure the engine holder can fit into the hole, as it will need to be inserted in later. Put a small amount of your foam-safe glue inside the hole, covering the sides and back of the hole. Carefully stick the engine holder in the hole, but make sure it is aligned, so that the glider won't turn to the side or fly down after launch. After the glue dries, move onto step 4.

If you purchased a plain, white glider, you may want to customize it! Use paint, markers, or stickers to customize it to your liking. Make sure not to add anything that may cause significant weight issues, as this could cause problems during flight. Make sure to make it stand out from the area where you plan to launch it, as this makes it harder to lose.

You'll likely need to tape weights onto the glider to account for the extra weight in the back. You can check the weight needed by taking the unused engine and inserting it into the engine holder, then giving the glider a test throw and looking to see if it appears to be tail heavy. Use tape to attach your weights to the front and make sure to adjust it until it seems to be working well.

Find a large field, free of dry grass and tall plants. Some parks may have a RC plane runway, and these typically work well. Set up a large box to serve as the base of your launch ramp at one end of the runway, make sure it is facing the direction the wind is blowing for maximum distance. Place your plywood or cardboard ramp on the box, but check to make sure the glider won't slide off the ramp, and that the angle isn't to steep. You can adjust it to your liking, although I used about a 150 degree angle.

Take your glider and place it on the bottom of the ramp you made in step 4. Insert the engine into the engine holder and put the end of the starter into the hole in the back of the engine, wires pointing out. Then push the plug into the hole on top, holding the starter firmly in place. (Make sure you're following the instructions given on the rocket engine package If you aren't using the 1/2A3-4T Engines by Estes). Connect the alligator clips on the launch controller to the two wires on the starter, and make sure the clips or wires don't touch. Then stretch the launch cable out as far as possible. Once you are a safe distance away, insert the launch key into the controller and hold it in firmly, then start counting down and press the the launch button. (If the glider doesn't launch, remove the launch key, and check the instructions from the launch controller package, and then wait for 1 minute to approach the glider, and use caution!)

After the glider has launched, you'll need to locate and recover the glider for re-use. If your glider is brightly colored, it should be easy to spot. In addition to locating the glider, make sure to search for the discarded engine casing. Be careful, as it may be hot, so use gloves to pick it up.