RC Fixed-Wing Glider — Servo Actuation & Aerodynamics
Hand-built fixed-wing glider: two servos, one BLDC motor, and enough aerodynamics to get airborne.
Control Surfaces
Thrust Motor
Outdoors
Tech Stack
The Problem
Building a glider that actually flies without an autopilot comes down to getting the physics right from the start. Put the weight too far back and it stalls; too far forward and it won't pitch up to take off. Make the control surfaces too large and the plane rolls uncontrollably; too small and you can't steer. With no electronics to compensate, the airframe itself has to be correct.
The Challenge
Designing a fixed-wing glider from first principles — sizing control surfaces, setting the center-of-gravity at 25–30% of the mean aerodynamic chord, and tuning servo throws to give enough roll and pitch authority without inducing flutter or coupling. The challenge was making a low-budget foam airframe flyable with minimal instrumentation and no autopilot.
Architecture & System Design
Fixed-wing aircraft with servo-controlled surfaces (ailerons, flaps) for pitch and roll. Brushless motor provides forward thrust. Integrated servo and motor control system for stable flight.
The airframe uses a conventional layout: a single wing with aileron servos for roll, an elevator/flap servo for pitch, and a nose-mounted brushless DC motor driving a propeller for thrust. The ESC translates PWM signals from the RC receiver (1000–2000 μs pulse width) into three-phase motor drive. Servo horns are connected to control surfaces via push-rods, with throw adjusted at the horn to set control sensitivity. CG was balanced by ballasting the nose and verified with a balance-point test before first flight.
Code Walkthrough
Non-proprietary extract demonstrating the core integration pattern.
Results
The glider achieved stable controlled flight on its first outdoor test. Roll authority from the ailerons was sufficient for banked turns without adverse yaw. The brushless motor provided adequate thrust for level flight and gentle climbs. Two documented flight sessions captured on video showed the aircraft completing multiple circuits before a controlled landing.
Gallery & Demos
First Flight — Takeoff and Banked Turn
Initial flight test showing stable takeoff, coordinated banking, and controlled descent. Demonstrates adequate aileron authority and pitch control.
Second Flight — Multiple Circuits
Follow-up flight showing sustained level flight, multiple banking turns, and smooth recovery to controlled landing. Validates aerodynamic stability and control system tuning.
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