Pool Noodle Cub Flyer

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To the Flite Test Community,

Another cool share from our students at the St. Vrain Valley Schools Innovation Center Aeronautics program.  Conner took on the challenge of learning the trade by engineering a flying aircraft via the use of pool noodles! With no prior skill, Conner was able to dive in and learn CAD skills, basic aircraft design, electronics, power systems especially thrust to weight ratios, fabrication lab equipment integration, and of course... flight!  Basing his design off the piper cub, Conner was able to mold the pool noodles to get his air frame shape. The wings proved to be the hardest while trying to create a dihedral along with an airfoil.  By doing this he created 1" foam stencils to help shape the wing, then simply gluing on and stacking the noodles.  He wanted to assist in the air flow by creating a leaner leading edge of the wing, so he carved as best he could a more aerodynamic edge.  Having never done electronics and control surfaces, this proved to be the hardest step, but with a little grit and critical thinking, he did it!  When all said and done and weeks of hard work, it finally paid off, way to go Conner.  

Now onto contractual based work with the Aeronautics program as well as possible future aircraft designs for program fundraising and self-sustainability.  Beauty of the situation is that Conner is only a sophomore, with two more years under his belt, he will be able to capture hours of application and credits in coursework to pursue aerospace in college and as a career.

After receiving his task, Conner was hard at work!

Taking advantage of the Innovation Centers fabrication equipment.

Playing with the idea of landing gear.

So... how does this servo suppose to go Mr. Marshall

The final just looks so cool!

Conner can't believe it flies!

Seeing pool noodles fly is something else.

Flying with all smiles

Thinking about improvements and whats next!