Session 7

Session 7

The primary focus of session 7 was to finish cutting out the planes and begin building assembling the airframes. During the original planning phase the class was set to run 7 sessions. Being that this program is a first run program we were not sure exactly how much time would be needed. In the end it looks like we will need 9 or 10 total sessions but with our great partners at Piedmont Middle this will not be a problem.

When it comes to assembling the planes students need to tape the airframe to add more strength to the material. They also has to attach their vertical stabilizers and make holes for mounting the power plant and control structure. Being that components are positioned relative to this power plant and control structure we often refer to it as a "template." It is the white section in the image above. The "template contains the motor, speed control, RC receiver, servos that will move the elevons and the lithium polymer batteries that will power the plane. Discovery Place has also designed and 3D printed a micro camera holder, the green part in the image above,  for each "template." The hope is to get some great in flight video.

At this point in the program there are students at 3 different stages of assembly. In total we have 20 students each building their own airplane to fly.  

The next session will take place at Piedmont Middle. The goal is to get some first flights done, but we are not likely to get that far. The goal of the next session will be for students to connect their 3D printed elevon connects to the elevons. They will also need to cut and bend their control rods that connect the servos to the elevons.The flights will likely happen during session 9.