Flying Start Challenge
Student Information

The Task

"To design and build a hand-launched glider"

Each team gets the chance to fly their glider at the regional fly-off. Teams will be judged on the distance flown, and also on a poster presentation detailing the design decisions made. Regional fly-offs are held in Cheltenham, Bristol and Yeovil.

The Rules

  1. The glider must be launched by hand with an over arm throw by a person from your team.
  2. The glider must not have any on board power, such as a propeller or engine.
  3. The glider cannot be blown along by a fan or other devices.
  4. Buoyancy aids, such as a helium balloon, may not be used to increase the gliders flight time.
  5. Your team has a budget of £3 to spend on materials for your glider. Only materials on the final glider count towards your budget, and you can include recycled materials for free

The Tests

Three test flights will be conducted for each glider. Points are awarded for distance and straightness of flight.

See the marking scheme for the full regional fly-off requirements.

What the judges are looking for...

The judges want to see you understand how your glider works, why you chose the materials, how well you built your design, whether you encountered any problems and how you solved them. Did you change your design? Is your design different to everyone else's and why you think your design is the best?

Your team should have a diary of the development of their glider to include in their poster presentation.

The judges are always right even if it seems unfair!