Walkalong Glider with Tyler MacCready

If you want to learn to do walkalong gliding with paper click on the go to http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/ It's easiest to start with the tumblewing, then make the hang glider.
To make a foam glider similar to the one Dr. MacCready demonstrated, see Phil Rossoni's excellent Instructables directions http://www.instructables.com/id/Foam-Walkalong-Glider/
To buy the glider in this video, see http://www.windrider.com.hk/product.asp?id=132 .
How cool is it when your favorite actor (Alan Alda) "retires" to host an intelligent, exciting PBS science program: Scientific American Frontiers. Although most of the program is about Paul MacCready, the inspirational father of human-powered flight and solar powered flight, this short segment is about son Tyler MacCready and his walkalong glider.
I show the full tape to my students if I am absent. For a very reasonable $20 it is available from PBS here http://www.shoppbs.org/sm-pbs-scientific-american-frontiers-xi-flying-free-vh...

There is a documentary, a very good on--it won a Academy Award for short documentary-- that traces the MacCready family as they develop the human-powered flight. Many travails and finally triumph. Very inspiring. It's available from
http://www.gossamercondor.com/
It's a shame more people don't know about it.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• walkalong
• glider
• aviation
• Tyler
• MacCready

[siiil21]

TY VERY MUCH for posting this video.. was a great joy after thinking that this is all fake.. to find out it works so well o.o tho i did not use wire i used a straw cut in half so its like a u shape and balanced it with a round smaller piece of drinking straw which i taped to the tip my room is small and wall comes fast but it glides so well on its own and ofc i tried with my hands right away and its amazing how well it works... WALL!! so once again ty from Estonia !

[sciencetoymaker]

@siiil21 It is really the ultimate compliment when people think it's fake at first. I am now using very thin cut foam instead of paper. They are much slower than Tyler's gliders and usually have to be flown inside.

Slater

[toader1471]

Where can i get templates to please

[sciencetoymaker]

@toader1471 see links in the text box--can't link in these commernts

Slater

[suinkimster]

where can you buy the foam?

[sciencetoymaker]

@suinkimster There are links in the text part. One link is to Windrider ready-made foam gliders identical to those Tyler is flying. There is also Phil Rossoni's Instructables link for building from scratch. That foam comes from building supply places. The foam usually goes under siding. Finally, Mike Thompson makes super thin, hot wire cut foam jagwings that fly very slowly. I hope he puts out some instructions soon.

Slater

[emforty2]

this is the solution to make people thinner

good excercise and fun

and i'm not kidding

[totoyamado]

@kingbullit11 the alternative to foam is phonebook paper

[sciencetoymaker]

@madnesscombat5 This one is made from foam and can be bought. They can also be made DIY out of either foam or paper. See the links in the information text (you might have to click the arrow to see the whole block of text).

Slater

[madnesscombat5]

is the glider in this video made from paper? or like foam or something? i wana make that one :(

[sciencetoymaker]

@spektrum33 Look at the text near the viewer. For me it appears below the viewer, and I have to click on the arrow to see the whole block of text. It has links to Phil Rossoni's plans, and where to buy the Windrider.

Slater