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Aileron Roll
Answers
 
  1.  Cut 0.25 inch ( 6 mm) slits about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the end of each wing and then fold these areas down. The tabs you have just made are called: ailerons

     

  2. Looking at your paper airplane from the front, fold the right tab down and the left tab up so that it resembles the diagram on the Aileron Roll Web page.What motion do you predict will result when you fly your airplane? roll left - counterclockwise

     

  3. Fly your paper airplane. Was the motion the same as your prediction in the question above? If not, describe how it differed.Answers will vary. Answers will vary.

     

  4. The paper airplane should have rolled counterclockwise around its center of gravity if viewed from the front. Where is its center of gravity in terms of the length of the airplane? Answers will vary.

     

  5. Now bend the left tab flat and bend the right flap up. Predict the motion you will see when you fly the paper airplane: roll right - clockwise

     

  6. Fly the plane again. Was your prediction correct? If not, describe how it differed. Answers will vary.

     

  7. Is more lift generated on the wing when the tab is bent? downward

     

  8. Bend the tabs on both wings up and fly your paper airplane. Explain what happened. Answers will vary.

     

  9. In what situation would a pilot want to use the ailerons to roll the plane?

      One wing dips lower than the other.

  10. Where are the ailerons located on a commercial jet? ends of wings

     

  11. If the ailerons were used during landing to decrease lift, which way would they be deflected? upward
  12. Where is a spoiler located on a wing of an airliner? between leading and trailing edges of wing

     

  13. If a spoiler is deflected on the left wing of an airplane, which way would the airplane roll as viewed from the front? left - counterclockwise

     

  14. If spoilers on both wings were deflected the same amount at the same time, how would the plane's position change? decrease in altitude - would not roll

     

  15. Cut and attach small strips of paper to your paper airplane's wings with tape. Fly it. How did your spoilers affect the flight? Answers will vary.
Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov