background image

Project #40 Page 1/25 
FPG: Sonic Silhouette 

Foam Plate Glider: Sonic Silhouette 

Designed by:  
Ritchie Kinmont 

About this project: 

 

The Foam Plate Glider Sonic Silhouette is the first in a series of flying glider projects 

made from foam plates. This project is designed as a hand thrown glider, launched from 

the ground, or launch from an elevated location for longer flights. Although fun for all 

ages, younger children may require help hand-launching this glider. 

Get some Sonic 

glider time in with 

this awesome 

building project! 

You’ll be a glider 

pilot in no time! 

© 2013 SonicDad Enterprises All rights reserved 

Rev:03/15/13 

Summary of Contents for Sonic Silhouette

Page 1: ...rojects made from foam plates This project is designed as a hand thrown glider launched from the ground or launch from an elevated location for longer flights Although fun for all ages younger childre...

Page 2: ...ll sheet printer labels for the airframe Metal washers provide the nose weight and craft foam adds a soft tip 2013 SonicDad Enterprises All rights reserved Metal washers Foam plates Full sheet ink jet...

Page 3: ...hardware store Page 2 NN 1 sheet 2mm craft foam sheet black or the color of your choice Wal Mart craft store Page 2 OO PP QQ 1 pkg Regular plastic drinking straws 1 4 diameter Wal Mart craft store Pag...

Page 4: ...ugh 25 Print the two graphic pages required on full sheet printer labels Use a sharp pair of scissors to roughly cut out the groups of graphics as shown in figures B through E Cut the graphics out wit...

Page 5: ...on and stabilizers to the third foam plate as shown fig E Step 5 2013 SonicDad Enterprises All rights reserved fig F Carefully cut on outside of line Cut out all pieces shown fig G Cut out all of the...

Page 6: ...n a flat surface to make sure it is straight with no warping Allow the glue to dry for a few minutes before proceeding fig J Step 10 2013 SonicDad Enterprises All rights reserved Lay both fuselage pie...

Page 7: ...d Enterprises All rights reserved Use a sharp pair of scissors to trim off the extra straw on each side of the graphic Use the cut lines on each end as a guide Carefully cut out the stabilizer slot on...

Page 8: ...of the horizontal stabilizer as shown Make your mark from the leading edge back to about where the elevator begins If you mark all the way across the end of the line will show after you attach the st...

Page 9: ...e tight so the joint is secure Just take your time and carefully work the tail boom into the slots about half way like this Installing the boom with the tail rotated like this makes it easier to get i...

Page 10: ...on one side of the fuselage and over the tail boom as shown Wrap the tape down around the bottom and onto the other side of the fuselage Trim the length of the tape even with the top of the fuselage...

Page 11: ...on a flat surface and gently bend the leading edge over as shown Carefully fold the leading edge down on all three wing pieces fig BB Step 28 Use the camber gauge to check the camber in all three win...

Page 12: ...es All rights reserved While the glue is still hot check the position of the wing looking down on it as shown The small alignment marks on the wing should be aligned in the center on the fuselage as s...

Page 13: ...Dad Enterprises All rights reserved Now pull the wingtip down into position and wrap the loose end of the tape tightly around the trailing edge and under the wing as shown fig JJ Step 36 fig JJ Wrap t...

Page 14: ...ig LL Step 38 2013 SonicDad Enterprises All rights reserved Apply a small bead of low temp hot glue between the washer location markings on one side of the fuselage as shown fig MM Step 39 Working qui...

Page 15: ...age as shown Use the location lines as a guide Wrap the pad around the nose then apply to the other side using the markings for location fig QQ Step 43 If you wish you can use a permanent black marker...

Page 16: ...hts You should check to be sure you have the same camber throughout the wing and matching camber between each wing Also check to be sure there is no twist in each wing The best way to do that is to lo...

Page 17: ...s keeping the wings and nose level as you release You don t want to release the glider with the wings in a bank or the nose raised or lowered A nice level release is what you want to practice You will...

Page 18: ...limb then stall and dive to the ground like this If your glider stalls reduce the elevator angle just a bit and try again Now that you know how to launch lets look at trimming your elevator for glidin...

Page 19: ...tures If the glider is built at room temperature then taken to extreme hot or cold environments the wings will warp slightly because the paper label and foam expand and contract at different rates wit...

Page 20: ...2013 SonicDad Enterprises All rights reserved Rev 12 12 11 Project 40 Page 20 25 FPG Sonic Silhouette Rev 03 20 13 SS9 Sonic Silhouette Graphics Blue Grey print on full sheet label...

Page 21: ...reserved Sonic Silhouette Graphics Blue Grey print on full sheet label Sonic Silhouette Sonic Silhouette SS9 Nose pad Shock pad Centerline marking template Rev 12 12 11 Project 40 Page 21 25 FPG Sonic...

Page 22: ...2013 SonicDad Enterprises All rights reserved Rev 12 12 11 Project 40 Page 22 25 FPG Sonic Silhouette Rev 03 20 13 SS9 Sonic Silhouette Graphics Red Blue print on full sheet label...

Page 23: ...reserved Sonic Silhouette Graphics Red Blue print on full sheet label Sonic Silhouette Sonic Silhouette SS9 Nose pad Shock pad Centerline marking template Rev 12 12 11 Project 40 Page 23 25 FPG Sonic...

Page 24: ...2013 SonicDad Enterprises All rights reserved Rev 12 12 11 Project 40 Page 24 25 FPG Sonic Silhouette Rev 03 20 13 SS9 Sonic Silhouette Graphics Green Pink print on full sheet label...

Page 25: ...reserved Sonic Silhouette Graphics Green Pink print on full sheet label Sonic Silhouette Sonic Silhouette SS9 Nose pad Shock pad Centerline marking template Rev 12 12 11 Project 40 Page 25 25 FPG Soni...

Reviews: