Science Fair Projects

Searching for Stability

Abstract

The objective: The objective of my project was to determine if winglets on an airplane improved stability. If so, what shape and angle of winglets would make an airplane the most stable. I hypothesized that 90-degree winglets would increase stability the most.

Methods/Materials

A wind tunnel and five balsa wood airplanes were designed and constructed for testing. Each airplane had varying shapes and angles of winglets (no winglets [control], 90-degree winglets, 135-degree winglets, wing fences, and a curved wing). To test for stability, methods of testing roll, pitch, and drag were developed. Each airplane was tested accordingly. All data was recorded and reviewed, and conclusions were drawn.

Results

The airplane with no winglets had the greatest variations of movement in the roll and pitch tests as well as the greatest amount of drag. The airplanes with 135-degree winglets and wing fences had smaller variations in the roll and pitch tests, and less drag than the airplane with no winglets. The airplanes with 90-degree winglets and a curved wing had the least variations of pitch and roll, and the least amount of drag compared to all of the other airplanes. Lower variations of movement indicate a more stable airplane.

Conclusions/Discussion

Overall, I concluded that winglets do increase stability. Based on the results of my tests, the airplanes with 90-degree winglets and the curved wing proved to be the most stable. To further support my hypothesis, the airplane with no winglets proved to be the least stable. Factors that could have affected the outcome of the experiment were the airplanes' center of balance, and the weight of the airplanes. Another factor that could have affected the outcome was the calibration of the pull-spring scales used during testing. I found the planning, design, and construction phases of my project as rewarding as the testing process used to prove my hypothesis.

This project is to find if winglets increased the stability of an airplane, and if so, what shape and angle of winglets would increase stability the most.

Science Fair Project done By Matthew Wong

 

 

<<Back To Topics Page........................................................................................>> Next Topic

 

Related Projects : Drag Reduction of a Mini Cooper , Testing Turbines for Maximum Power , Effects of Magnetic Fields on Water Flow , The Shapes of Boat Hulls Matter, Do Different Fin Designs Affect a Rocket Maximum Altitude , Landing Humans on Mars, Effect of Varying Air Outlets on the Stability of a Hovercraft, How High Can She Fly , Producing Electricity with Different Angles and Measurments for Wind Turbine Blades , Searching for Stability , Rocketology , Shape and Surface Texture , Effect of Blade Type and Blade Angle on Power Generation , The Green Machine , Efficiency of Different Savonius Wind Turbines

Copyright © sciencefairprojects.co.in 2013 through 2015