A walkalong glider is a lightweight, slow flying model aircraft designed to be kept aloft by controllable slope soaring in the lift generated by the pilot who walks along with the glider as it flies, usually holding a paddle. Hands or even the forehead can also be used to do this. This type of soaring differs from other types of slope soaring in that the orographic lift (or "hill") is following the plane as it flies in the air and thus no other wind is required.
Types of walkalong gliders have been patented. Some walkalong glider designs have been named.
Some known models are
- Air surfer,
- windrider walkalong glider,
- tumblewing
- Follow foil.
Walkalong gliding has also been referred to as controllable slope soaring but should not be confused with dynamic soaring.
Ground effect in aircraft is probably a minor factor in the extra lift that the walkalong glider gets when in proximity to the paddle; However, ground effect is usually referring to a wing in proximity to a static horizontal surface and not to a dynamic (sloped) moving surface like the paddle used to fly a walkalong glider.
Walkalong Glider Made from Phone Book Paper
Step 1Cut out a piece of paper
Cut out a piece of paper with approximately 1:5 or so (slender). Here I've just sheared the end off a 8 1/2" by 11 sheet of paper to make a ~21cm by 5cm strip.
Fold up one end, then the other end. Make sure the folds are symetric and at right angles. Here each fold occurs 2 cm from each end (approximately %10 of the length of the strip).
make a fold in the center of the trailing edge (trailing edge goes up). It is important that the fold not disturb the right angle fold you have just created at the ends of the strip in step 2. Turn the strip of paper upside down and fold the trailing edge, taking care the fold again does not disturb the right angle folds at the ends of the strip. You may need to reform the right angle folds at the ends of the strip which might have been disturbed by folding the leading edge with the strip upside down.
Hold the folded strip at the center of the trailing edge (the trailing edge has the fold which goes up) with the wing tips pointing up. Let the glider go. It should tumble slowly down and forward. If it "falls off" and angles to one side or the other, the wingtip folds may not be symetric and will need adjustment. Make sure you fly the tumblewing indoors and in a location with as little drafts as possible.
source: http://www.instructables.com/id/Walkalong-Glider-Made-from-Phone-Book-Paper/
