Build and Pilot Your Own Walkalong Gliders Overview:

Set Your Imagination Soaring with this DIY Guide to Designing and Making Controllable Model Flying Machines!

WAY more fun and involved than mere “build-and-toss” paper airplanes, walkalong gliders create the experience of controlled, sustained flight powered by a wave of air. Build and Pilot Your Own Walkalong Gliders puts you at the controls of model flying machines that you build from ordinary materials!

Walkalong gliders are a fun and fascinating way to learn the principles of flight -- and this is the most complete hands-on, fully illustrated guide to the hobby. Author Philip Rossoni is a licensed glider test pilot who also teaches Museum of Science, Boston visitors how to make and fly walkalong gliders. And in this book he offers explanations and step-by-step instruction on everything from the science of flight to the design and construction of walkalong gliders to piloting tips and tricks to the different types of competitions that users can stage at home, school, or anywhere.

• Puts the fun of controlled model aircraft flight in anyone's reach -- without expensive materials, fuel, or electrical parts
• Complete instructions for building and piloting gliders ranging from the miniscule “Tumblewing Trainer” to the mammoth four-foot wingspan “Jumbo”
• Great activity guide for all ages, with operation and safety instruction for teachers, youth organization leaders, and parents, as well as diagrams and guidance on how to conduct walkalong glider competitions and events
• Includes exclusive online access to how-to videos that show these amazing contraptions in action

Inside Build and Pilot Your Own Walkalong Gliders you'll find:

• Step-by-step instructions for building six unique walkalong gliders: Tumblewing,  Paper airplane surfer,  X-surfer, Jumbo, Butterfly glider, Baby bug
• Guidance on how to gracefully take off, maintain altitude, steer, maneuver, and land your creations
• Tips for putting on fun competitions at school or in your neighborhood

Table of contents
Introduction
Part I: Walkalong Glider Designs
Ch. 1: The Tumblewing
Ch. 2: The Paper Airplane Surfer
Ch. 3: The X-Surfer
Ch. 4: The Jumbo
Ch. 5: Designs Made from Natural Materials
Part II: Achieving Sustained and Controlled Flight
Ch. 6: Meteorology Considerations
Ch. 7: Flying the Tumblewing Basic Trainer
Ch. 8: Straight and Level Flight
Ch. 9: Gaining Altitude
Ch. 10: Cross Country Walkalong Glider Flights
Ch. 11: Wake Turbulence Avoidance
Part III: Walkalong Glider Competitions
Ch. 12: The Duration Event
Ch. 13: The Distance Event
Ch. 14: The Air Race Event
Ch. 15: The Altitude Event
Ch. 16: Sumo
Ch. 17: Airlift Event
Ch. 18: The Dog Fight Event
Ch. 19: The Obstacle Course Event
Part IV: Becoming a Walkalong Glider Flight Instructor
Ch. 20: Finding Suitable Airspace for your Students
Ch. 21: The First Flight
Ch. 22: Walkalong Gliding Maneuvers Syllabus

Published July 2012
Author:  Philip Rossoni
256 pages, paperback