Delta Dart Classes at the Houserville Elementary School

 February 2006

Learning Enrichment Teacher Nancy Jacobson

There were five SCRC members helping the teacher with this Delta Dart model building class.  One of the club members, the present Club president, George Mock was able to capture the action on camera.  The results of his efforts follow.

The First Class

The class begins with a brief discussion about what makes an airplane fly and a test flight of an already constructed Delta Dart model.  A description of the kit contents, the tools that will be used, and what the first steps that the student take to begin the airplane construction.  The first step is to cut the balsa wood strips to the proper length.  Click here to see the Delta Dart Worksheet that the students use to for cutting the balsa wood strips.  When all the students have their parts cut and checked by an instructor, the next step in the process is demonstrated as shown in the photos below.

The instructions are given in small doses. 

Are there any questions?  Is everybody ready?  Lets start building!!!

Gib Sanders giving that bit of extra help that is often needed.

Just like an assembly line.  Everybody is busy gluing the wood strips to the plans.

Carefully apply the glue to the wood then place the wood on the plan.

Chuck Paulson giving one of the students personal attention.

 

The Second Class

Separate and trim the motor stick/rudder, wing and tail.  Assemble these parts to form an airplane.

 
The SCRC helpers play an important role insuring that the students complete the classes with a functioning airplane.

 
The parts are separated and ready to be trimmed Trimming the parts Start the wing assembly with lots of glue in the wing joint
Once the airplane is assembled, it is necessary to store it in a safe place and allow all the glue joints to dry thoroughly.  It will be a long wait until next week when we get to see if everybody's airplane flies!
The unique design insures that the final assembly results in a structure that has the proper dihedral and alignment An important aspect of the assembly is the alignment of the wing, rudder and tail  

 

The Third Class

Here is where everybody gets to enjoy the results of all the building effort.  All the third and fourth grade students are present in the All Purpose room to observe the flights.

 

The Instructions Continue. 

The students are shown how to install the propeller and rubber motor, wind the rubber motor, and finally, how to launch their plane.

 
Chuck Paulson helps one of the students with the initial winding of the rubber motor on his airplane Al Niessner demonstrates the proper way to hold and launch the  delta dart Getting 100 winds into the rubber motor requires a great amount of concentration
Many of the airplanes flew all the way to the ceiling.  The one shown here circled nicely just below the ceiling. Keeping an eye out to be sure the student's launches are good George Gurney giving some helpful hints before the airplane is launched
The 3rd and 4th grade students that were not in the class lined the perimeter of the all purpose room during the flying session Several dedicated SCRC members spent time during the flying session making sure that the airplanes were repaired The student on George's left with the green shirt is going to be sure he gets a fast start

 
 
And Then came the R/C model flying Demonstration

The delta dart flying ended with a short flying demonstration of indoor radio controlled models by George Gurney and Gib Sanders

 
A pre flight checkout A radio Controlled enlarged Delta Dart Getting ready for a great flight