Difference between revisions of "Electric Wright Stuff"

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'''''NOTE:''' This event has different parameters from [[Wright Stuff]].''
 
'''''NOTE:''' This event has different parameters from [[Wright Stuff]].''
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{{EventLinksBox
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|active=
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|type=Engineering
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|cat=Build
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|2017thread=[https://scioly.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=225&t=10543 2017 (Trial)]
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|B Champion=
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|C Champion=[[Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Illinois)]]
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}}
  
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'''Wright Stuff Capacitor''' was a [[Division B]] trial event at the [[University of Wisconsin 2011|2011 National Tournament]]. It involves an airplane that must fly using a motor powered by a capacitor. In general, the capacitor provides the energy to help the airplane fly toward the ceiling of the room it is in, and then the plane uses its height to stay aloft for as long as possible.
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'''Electric Wright Stuff''' is a [[Division C]] trial event at the [[Wright State University 2017|2017 National Tournament]]. It involves an airplane that must fly using a motor powered by a capacitor. In general, the capacitor provides the energy to help the airplane fly toward the ceiling of the room it is in, and then the plane uses its height to stay aloft for as long as possible.
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This event was also a [[Division B]] trial event at the [[University of Wisconsin 2011|2011 National Tournament]] under the name '''Wright Stuff Capacitor'''.
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==Principles of Aerodynamics==
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[[File:Screenshot 2018-06-07 at 8.19.43 AM.png|thumb|225px|right|How an Airplane Works.]]
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For E-Wright Stuff (Electric Wright Stuff), it is important to understand the principles of aerodynamics. Experience with [[Wright Stuff]] or [[Elastic Launched Glider]] as a previous event are helpful as starting points. If new to flying events, it is very helpful to learn how airplanes work.
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As seen in the image depicted below, planes work due to four core concepts: Thrust, Lift, Weight, and Drag. To get a successful E-Wright Stuff plane to work, the correct ratio for all four concepts of Thrust, Lift, Weight, and Drag must be found. Too much or too little of one or the other, and an E-Wright Stuff plane can fail catastrophically.
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[[File:Screenshot 2018-06-07 at 8.18.06 AM.png|thumb|200px|right|Lift of a plane wing.]]
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===Lift===
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Lift is the most important part of an E-Wright Stuff device. The effects of lift on a plane wing can be seen on the image at right. When building the device's wings, one should aim for a teardrop shape or a shape of similar properties, as it can ensure that lift occurs. Trial and error will help in finding what works for any particular device.
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===Weight===
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If a plane weighs too much, the amount of thrust and lift needed for flying increases. To help resolve this problem, use light balsawood to reduce any unnecessary weight. Keeping the plane light assures that it can fly and not crash and burn.
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===Thrust===
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Thrust is given to the E-Wright Stuff device by a small capacitor that powers a motor, contrary to [[Wright Stuff]], where a rubber band powers it. This is the namesake of Electric Wright Stuff.
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===Drag===
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Drag is the main enemy in this event. The more drag a plane has, the more energy it takes for the plane to move. When adding a back rotor, keep note of this.
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==Build Materials==
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For a working E-Wright Stuff plane, materials along the line of the following are most likely to be needed.
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*Balsawood for the body of the plane.
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*Small capacitor to serve as the power source storage.
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*Small motor with a propeller to provide thrust for the plane.
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*Plastic bags to line the wings to have lift act on your plane.
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*Glue to assemble the plane.
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*X-Acto knife to cut all wood.
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*Meter stick to measure the plane.
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*Battery to charge the capacitor.
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*Voltmeter to measure charge in the capacitor.
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==Example Build==
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[[File:E-Wright Stuff.png|thumb|600px|center|An example of an Electric Wright Stuff plane.]]
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Note the similarities to [[Wright Stuff]].
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
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[http://soinc.org/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/Wright%20Stuff-Capacitor.pdf Trial Event Rules]
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:[https://www.wright.edu/sites/www.wright.edu/files/page/attachments/ElectricWrightStuffC2017.pdf 2017 Trial Event Rules]
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:[http://soinc.org/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/Wright%20Stuff-Capacitor.pdf 2011 Trial Event Rules]
  
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{{Stub}}
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{{2017 National Trials}}
 
{{2011 National Trials}}
 
{{2011 National Trials}}
  

Revision as of 16:29, 7 June 2018

NOTE: This event has different parameters from Wright Stuff. Template:EventLinksBox

Electric Wright Stuff is a Division C trial event at the 2017 National Tournament. It involves an airplane that must fly using a motor powered by a capacitor. In general, the capacitor provides the energy to help the airplane fly toward the ceiling of the room it is in, and then the plane uses its height to stay aloft for as long as possible.

This event was also a Division B trial event at the 2011 National Tournament under the name Wright Stuff Capacitor.

Principles of Aerodynamics

How an Airplane Works.

For E-Wright Stuff (Electric Wright Stuff), it is important to understand the principles of aerodynamics. Experience with Wright Stuff or Elastic Launched Glider as a previous event are helpful as starting points. If new to flying events, it is very helpful to learn how airplanes work.

As seen in the image depicted below, planes work due to four core concepts: Thrust, Lift, Weight, and Drag. To get a successful E-Wright Stuff plane to work, the correct ratio for all four concepts of Thrust, Lift, Weight, and Drag must be found. Too much or too little of one or the other, and an E-Wright Stuff plane can fail catastrophically.

Lift of a plane wing.

Lift

Lift is the most important part of an E-Wright Stuff device. The effects of lift on a plane wing can be seen on the image at right. When building the device's wings, one should aim for a teardrop shape or a shape of similar properties, as it can ensure that lift occurs. Trial and error will help in finding what works for any particular device.

Weight

If a plane weighs too much, the amount of thrust and lift needed for flying increases. To help resolve this problem, use light balsawood to reduce any unnecessary weight. Keeping the plane light assures that it can fly and not crash and burn.

Thrust

Thrust is given to the E-Wright Stuff device by a small capacitor that powers a motor, contrary to Wright Stuff, where a rubber band powers it. This is the namesake of Electric Wright Stuff.

Drag

Drag is the main enemy in this event. The more drag a plane has, the more energy it takes for the plane to move. When adding a back rotor, keep note of this.

Build Materials

For a working E-Wright Stuff plane, materials along the line of the following are most likely to be needed.

  • Balsawood for the body of the plane.
  • Small capacitor to serve as the power source storage.
  • Small motor with a propeller to provide thrust for the plane.
  • Plastic bags to line the wings to have lift act on your plane.
  • Glue to assemble the plane.
  • X-Acto knife to cut all wood.
  • Meter stick to measure the plane.
  • Battery to charge the capacitor.
  • Voltmeter to measure charge in the capacitor.

Example Build

An example of an Electric Wright Stuff plane.

Note the similarities to Wright Stuff.

External Links

2017 Trial Event Rules
2011 Trial Event Rules
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