The Lucky 11 Glider is a high-performance, hand-launched glider designed to optimize range and stability through low-order lifting line aerodynamics. This project focuses on lightweight construction, wing efficiency, and trim optimization to maximize glide performance. The glider was tested in a 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) flight simulator as part of a design competition, where it placed 2nd overall.
The main objective was to design a glider that could achieve maximum flight time and distance within the constraints of the competition. These constraints included a total wing area, fuselage max length, and structural failure constraints.
The Lucky 11 Glider achieved an outstanding glide ratio of 50:1 in the simulator, showcasing its exceptional aerodynamic efficiency. This means that the glider can travel 50 meters forward for every 1 meter of altitude lost, which is a key indicator of its ability to maximize flight duration and distance
The stability of the Lucky 11 Glider was assessed using a 6DOF flight simulator and analytic relations, where its natural aerodynamic response to various disturbances was analyzed. The results, as depicted in the Bode plot, demonstrate excellent inherent stability across a range of flight conditions. The glider’s design ensures smooth, stable flight without the need for active controls.
Natural damping was one of the glider’s key strengths, as demonstrated in the simulation results. The Bode plot shows a low gain at high frequencies, meaning the glider effectively reduces oscillations without the need for active control. This natural damping allows it to maintain steady, consistent flight, even when faced with minor turbulence or imbalances at launch.