Centre of mass location, flight modes, stability and dynamic modelling of gliders

Falling paper flutters and tumbles through air, whereas a airplane glides smoothly if its leading edge is appropriately weighted. We investigate this transformation from ‘plain paper’ to ‘paper plane’ experiments, aerodynamic modelling free flight simulations of thin plates with differing centre mass (CoM) locations. Periodic modes such as fluttering, tumbling bounding give way steady gliding then downward diving the CoM increasingly displaced towards one edge. To explain these observations, we formulate quasi-steady model whose force torque coefficients are informed by experimental measurements. The dependencies on angle attack reflect transition attached separated flow dynamic pressure, effects that prove critical reproducing observed motions planes in air water. Because successfully accounts for unsteady modes, it may be usefully applied further problems involving actuated motions, feedback control interactions ambient flows.