Build and Fly an Airplane

Under this title, the Wangen bei Olten Model Aircraft Club (MGWA) participated in the Olten Region Summer Activity Pass program this summer. For the fourth time, we worked with a group of elementary school students from the Olten region during summer vacation to build a free-flight model airplane—and, of course, fly it.

Interest in the construction course was once again so high that we were only able to accept half of the applicants (12), and the rest had to hope for an opening while on the waiting list. Participants had to be between the ages of ten and fourteen.

Based on our positive experience with the previous courses, we purchased the same model again. With the Aero-Falke from Aeronaut, we were able to successfully achieve our goals for both days. The model can be launched with the help of a ladder from a—

Assemble, paint, and decorate it in a day. Fortunately, we currently have a few retirees who helped out with the same enthusiasm as the students in the class. When making our selection,

, we made sure that it wouldn’t just involve slotting a few parts together. We also wanted the students to gain some new experience with materials, glue, and tools. After a

day in the shop, the Falcon was ready to fly.

The airplane was built, painted, and trimmed in a workshop provided to us by the Wangen School. The students gained their first experience with balsa wood, sanding blocks, utility knives, set squares, and rulers. It wasn’t exactly easy to face a large construction plan with drawings, instructions that had to be read and understood first, and a parts list for the very first time. However, the plan is very detailed, the steps are clearly laid out, and with a little support, it’s understandable even for ten- to twelve-year-olds.

With great interest and enjoyment, we glued, measured, and assembled the parts. Sanding the curves and edges required a bit of patience. In the afternoon, we were able to apply the primer with a brush. While it was drying, we prepared and created many different decorations and lettering.

In the end, the fine-tuning took a lot of time. The

Marking the center of gravity, filling the lead chamber, and precisely balancing the model on the scale proved challenging for everyone.

We spent the second day at the MG Wangen club’s own airfield. We quickly assembled a Depron model provided by the SMV. We also wanted to test right away whether the center of gravity was set correctly on this small plane.

During a break, the most important functions were explained and demonstrated using an electric model. The topic of aerodynamics—and why an airplane flies in the first place—was also on the agenda. There was even time for a bit of aviation history.

Finally, the pilots were able to experience just how difficult it is to fly the plane with the necessary

and pull off a nice glide. Now there was also an opportunity to make small adjustments or patch up the first piece of balsa that had broken off. Everyone was amazed at how far and beautifully a well-tuned free-flight model flies. In the afternoon, everyone got to make their first attempts with a launch line and gain new experiences. A short walk to retrieve the plane or a landing in a tree were, of course, part of the experience. Some parents

parents and grandparents visited us in the afternoon and watched the proud builders demonstrate their airplanes. In between, all the young pilots got to experience their first remote-controlled flight in a teacher-student setup. The entire event was so full of wonderful experiences and adventures that we’ll be including it in next year’s annual program again.

*Text: Toni Käser, MGWA Youth Program Photos: Jürg Beyeler, MGWA*