There is therefore no excuse necessary to be made for this little book, coming as it does at this time and it is sincerely hoped that it may interest and lead many to experiment first and build their aeroplane afterward so that when their machine is complete it may be practical and not intended to operate in some "lift-yourself-by-your-boot-straps" manner.
- [Fig. 1 Horizontal Beam]
- [Fig. 2.—Strut.]
- [Fig. 3.—Position of Struts.]
- [Fig. 4.—Strut clamp.]
- [Fig. 5.—Stanchion.]
- [Fig. 6.—Stanchion socket.]
- [Fig. 7.—Eyebolt.]
- [Fig. 8.—Assembly of stanchion, socket beam, strut and clamp.]
- [Fig. 9.—Rib.]
- [Fig. 10.—Rib clamp.]
- [Fig. 11.—Plan View of Planes showing Ribs.]
- [Fig. 12.—Arm piece.]
- [Fig. 13.—Parts of rudder framework.]
- [Fig. 14.—Corners of horizontal rudder plane.]
- [Fig. 15.—Complete framework of rudder.]
- [Fig. 16.—Cross bar.]
- [Fig. 17.—Rudder Sockets, or Clamps.]
- [Fig. 18.—Arrangement of Armpieces and Rudder Cross Bar.]
- [Fig. 19.—Complete Framework Ribs on Lower Plane Not Shown]
- [Fig. 20.—Method of hemming up edge of cloth.]
- [Fig. 21.—Section of cloth hemmed, and reinforcing strips sewn on.]
- [Fig. 22.—Trussing Of Cells.]
- [Fig. 23.—Plan and Elevation Views of Piano Wire Bracing.]
- [Fig. 24.—Method of anchoring wires]
- [Fig. 25.—Bicycle spoke turnbuckle.]
- [Fig. 26.—Top view, showing how streams of air divide.]
- [Fig. 27.—Showing how air currents pass over objects.]
- [Fig. 28—Action of aeroplane.]
- [Fig. 29—Ready to Start]
- [Fig. 30—Lines of Flight]
CHAPTER I. The Framework.
A gliding machine, more often popularly termed a glider, is simply a motorless aeroplane, operating by force of gravity to carry its passenger sailing through the air from the top to the foot of a slope.
The glider described herein is the type developed by Octave Chanute and may be considered as the parent of the biplane machines with which the world has lately become so familiar. The machine is known as a biplane since its supporting surface is in the form of two superimposed trussed planes vertically above each other and having a tail in the rear for the control of direction.
There is always a tendency among experimenters to depart from the design and dimensions of any machine or apparatus offered for construction. This, since it develops originality is a good indication, but most of those who will undertake to build a glider are attempting something altogether new and so any radical change from the instructions in this little booklet are unadvisable.
It is better at first to benefit by the experience of others. The glider here described is considered as the "standard" of the biplane type. It has an active supporting surface of 152 square feet which is sufficient to carry the weight of an ordinary man. A machine having a larger surface will support the same weight when moving through the air at a slower speed, but larger surface means an increase in some of the general dimensions. An increase in surface by lengthening the planes will make the machine much harder to keep on an even keel, while increasing their depth in the direction of flight will require greater agility on the part of the operator to keep the centre of gravity in the proper position. A larger machine also means more weight and a heavy machine is hard to make a landing with.
On the other hand a light glider is dangerous and will not stand any rough usage.
The cost of the glider, provided the construction is accomplished by the intending owner is so low as to place it within the reach of any person of ordinary means. The expenditure for raw materials varies greatly. It is usually a little less than $20.00 and should not exceed $35.00. A finished glider is worth from $50.00 to $100.00 depending whether or not more than one is made at a time.