Indoor flight with light models

Book excerpt: Indoor flight with light models offers fascinating possibilities thanks to new micro-components and construction methods. The variety of materials (balsa, polystyrene, boron fibres, Mylar film, etc.) makes possible not only classic indoor flight with rubber propulsion but also electric indoor flight with new components (coreless motors, micro-RC equipment, tiny lithium polymer cells). A section is also devoted specifically to supercapacitor propulsion. The most important feature of all light models with weights of typically 1.5 to 10 grams is the slow flying at walking pace. The risk of damage is correspondingly low. Another advantage of indoor flying is that it can be practised all year round, regardless of the weather. The door is wide open for school projects. The author has held numerous workshops in schools and at the Deutsches Museum, as well as supervising teachers in Saalflug projects. He has also been a participant in numerous international and national competitions. The book helps to overcome the initial threshold of lightweight construction with detailed instructions and construction plans. It accompanies the model flyer, starting with simple models suitable for the beginner or for workshop instruction, up to competition performance models. Let yourself "decelerate" and enjoy the slowly floating flying objects! From the content: • History of Indoor flight • Model classes • Materials • Working techniques • Rubber propulsion • Electric propulsion • CO2 drive • Supercapacitors • Balloon launch • Air wave • Flight practice • Propeller • Entry-level models • Styrofoam models • Construction plans