I'm starting a high altitude return-to-sender balloon launched glider project. I want to keep it simple, and I think my first decision is airframe. I'm wondering if it would be feasible to use a small glider like this mini swift for rudder-only control. The idea would be to have a fixed elevator, set for a fairly steep glide ratio (like around 5:1). It seems like this is how thegps boomerang works.
Would an airframe like the swift be stable enough to recover and glide without stabilization?
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If you mean point the nose down to achieve 5:1 then you will probably arrive at a heck of a speed. Wings would have to be very strong.
I think I would just let it tumble for 20 or 30k until the air thickened.
Is that airframe big enough to carry any sensors and an AP?
Hi Nathan,
Just to be clearer on a point that I glossed over...I do not recommend the mini swift and building your own controller. There are a lot of engineering challenges, and it would be hard to develop the controls without doing the actual flights. The main issue for the airframe is the low air density at high altitudes. The big risk would be the swift would reach a very high velocity in the thin air, and then the wings would snap off when it reached more dense air.
Rather, what I am recommending is that you start with the gpsboomerang.
Best regards,
Bill
Hi Nathan,
It is my understanding that the boomerang is a mature and well-tested system.
For example, I am sure that you looked at the data from one of its test flights:
http://www.gpsboomerang.com/content/view/24/36/
Best regards,
Bill
Why rudder only? A glide ratio of 5/1 means a sudden arrival which will probably demolish the plane, and anything in it!.If you are at the landing site you might need more than rudder to avoid obstacles also. Have you actually flown any R/C models?