I am adding a label onto the Squirrel instructions to help set the expectations of the user. This was on another version of Squirrel instructions that was never released publicly (it’s the one I used in my volunteer work which is different than the one I publish).
What should I put for flight distance?
What should I put for build time?
What else can be on the label?
Comments?
I worked about 10h starting yesterday evening on the new Squirrel instructions!
Here is the progress so far. In addition to a clear diagram of a completed Squirrel, there are some newly made assembly diagrams, a ruler for part identification and the beginning of some new text. And there will be less text!
Still more assembly diagrams to come. Also coming is new text and diagrams for flying!
I may include an aileron as standard. I think that will be fun.
This packaging will weigh 1/4 less and use less ink as well. That will save on shipping costs as it will get many of the packages under shipping cost thresholds.
It is a little painful getting 2D projections off 3D projections in Sketchup (CAD) without buying some expensive software. I am able to get the projections needed but am keeping my eyes peeled for a rendering system or other mechanism.
I’m using InkScape. It doesn’t allow two pages so I have a separate document for each page. I have Corel, I suppose I could switch to that. But I’m pretty far down the road so I may just grin and bear that one. I’ll just chain two PDF files together later.
I better start the hunt for people who can test the new instructions. I need some people who know about model planes and some who know nothing. Less is more. 🙂 Let me know if interested or if you know someone!
Squirrel packaging and instructions are about to get a makeover!
The instructions will be increased from 1 page to 1 2/3 pages! There will be more diagrams and there will be a stronger call to action to use the video instructions at this site.
This should take about 100h of work and I will report when they are ready!
Squirrel has appeared withing the curriculum of the Air Transportation course ECVL N 3XX in the UAE.
“We built our first plane models and they are flying beautifully. Everyone from students to management team were very excited and delighted”. — Milan Krasulja
Here’s the course outline:
Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Common Course Outline Course Title: Air Transportation Course Number: ECVL N 3XX Course Credit Units: 4.00 Total Contact Periods Per Week: 4
Catalogue Description:
Air transportation continues to be one of the largest and fastest growing industries worldwide. The course deals with main roles and responsibilities of various participants in aviation sector and their contribution to global economy. It also covers basic issues international aviation standards for safety, security and environment and operational issues such as air navigation planning, aircraft maintenance and civil aviation administration. It also provides an insight into the governance issues of international organisation, aviation authorities and bodies such as ICAO, ACI, IATA, JAA, FAA and CANSO.
Course Description:
Modern age aviation development is the direct consequence of the ever-increasing demand for the fast and safe transport of passengers, cargo, manufactured goods and services and direct international investments. It facilitates economic growth, world trade, and tourism and is therefore central to the globalization taking place in many other industries.
After an overview of the historical development of the air transport industry course provides the insight in the current economic outlook of three main segments of civil aviation market: aircraft manufacture and development, airline operations security and safety and future environmental impacts.
Considerable attention is to be given to UAE position and role of its global air carriers in the future air transport services and market trends. This includes: modern air-hub developments around UAE and Middle East, passenger, cargo freight trends and forecasts, industry best practices and benchmarking.
Grading Mode: N – Normal Grading Mode Prerequisite Course(s): Transportation planning Co-requisite Course(s): Equivalent Course(s): Learning Outcomes: 1. Challenges and historical perspective of the modern age aviation including the beginnings of the first human lighter-than-air and heavier-than-air flights;
2. Development of the aircraft industry and its impact on structure of airline industry;
3. Infrastructure development for the fast growing airline industry. Airfield and airport development and construction. Navigation and communication systems and aids of modern airport/ aircraft;
4. Introduction to commercial air transportation, and development of the regulatory bodies and associations. Structure and economics of airlines. Airline management, organisation and corporate structure. Fleet planning and aircraft selection process;
5. Airline passenger marketing, pricing, scheduling, demand and output determination. Air freight rates. Air cargo development today and in the future;
6. Position and role of UAE air carriers and air hubs in future air transport services and global market trends. Air transport liberalisation and its impact on airline competition. Airline forecasting methods. Learning Outcome 01
As an introduction to the era of air travel and aviation the historical background and development of the early air vehicle should be presented to students. Students should be introduced to the scientific principles of flight and fundamental difference of lighter-than-air-and heavier-than-air aircraft. Next step is to explain the development of modern powered aircraft and their application and impact on early commercial air transportation
In order to meet objectives of the Learning Outcome 1, students should be given the opportunity to engage in the following:
Recognize the human interest in flying and its relative impact on early aircraft development. List the pioneers of aviation and their contribution and way to conquer the air;
Differentiate between the lighter-than-air and heavier-than-air aircraft and their role in modern aircraft and aviation history development;
Understand the scientific fundamentals and write the basic equations which define forces (gravity, thrust, lift and drag) acting on the object in the air; Build the model airplane and test it. Write the project report about the construction and testing of the airplane.
Fully understand the atmosphere and its specifics as flying environment.
I had some balsa wheel blanks that Lloyd Shales gave me. I also made some on the laser from some heavy paper.
I found you could glue the hub into the paper but it’s a bit tricky. I was able to ream the holes of the balsa ones and push the hubs in. They stayed in place well with friction.
I need to put some thought into the hub design. I suspect I can come up with a folding wheel that has two points of contact with the axle. Then it doesn’t need a plastic hub. We’ll see what I can come up with for the next experiments.
