Everything you need to know about how gliders fly โ explained in simple, fun language with interactive demos!
The upward force created by air flowing over the curved wing surface. The wing's shape makes air move faster on top, creating lower pressure โ and up you go!
The downward pull of Earth on all objects. For a glider to stay airborne, lift must at least equal gravity. More lift = longer, higher flight!
The forward force that gets the glider moving. For a chuck glider, YOUR ARM is the engine โ the initial throw provides all the thrust it needs!
Air resistance that slows the glider. Reducing drag (smoother surfaces, narrower profile) is key to flying farther. Less drag = more glide!
Faster-moving air creates lower pressure. The curved top surface of a wing forces air to travel faster than the flat bottom โ creating the lift that makes flight possible!
The balance point of a glider. Too far forward = nose dives. Too far back = stalls. Sweet spot is about 1/3 from the nose โ that's where trim magic happens!
The Wright Brothers' first powered flight in 1903 lasted only 12 seconds and covered just 37 metres!
The world record for a paper plane flight is 69.14 metres โ set by John Collins and Joe Ayoob in 2022!
Birds were the original inspiration for wing design. The Wright Brothers studied vultures for stability ideas!
The Space Shuttle was a glider on landing โ it had no engine power and glided down at 346 km/h!