LESSON PLAN
Lesson Title: Flight Lab I
Instructor: Miller
Teaching Method: Informal Lecture/Classroom Participation
Visual Aids (VA): PowerPoint Slides
Date of Lesson Development/Last Major Revision: Updated Aug 12
Student Preparation: None
Objective:
 Introduce the basic aerodynamic concepts of lift, drag, thrust and gravity.
Description: Flight Lab Project is an interactive lesson introducing the students to the basic
aerodynamic concepts of lift, drag, thrust and gravity.
Day 1: A relatively simple lab, students will be constructing two paper airplanes each utilizing a
different design and configuration. Students will in turn conduct flight tests recording distance
and flight characteristics.
Day 2: Students will discuss their findings in class. The instructor will draw student laboratory
observations to the concepts of lift, drag, thrust, gravity and control surfaces.
Materials:
 Flight Test Log (1 per student)
 Construction paper – provided to each student
 Paper clips (available in classroom)
 Tape (available in classroom)
 Scissors (available in classroom)
Reference Guide
 Stationery Flight: Extraordinary Paper Airplanes by Michael Weinstein
 Super Simple Paper Airplanes: Step-By-Step Instructions to Make Planes That Really Fly
From a Tri-Plane to a Jet Fighter by Nick Robinson
Science of Flight: Flight Lab Project
Point Value: 140 points
Student:___________________________
Period: ____
Objective:
 Using two to three distinct paper aircraft designs record different flight characteristics.
Instructions
 Construct two different model paper airplanes.
 Using a tape measure record the flight characteristics of each design using the worksheet
below.
NOTE: For your data to be consistent, attempt to launch your aircraft the same way each time.
For example if use an upward throwing motion at release, duplicate that same motion for each
flight test.

Following your flight tests, do not destroy your designs as you WILL NEED them to discuss
your findings in class.
Aircraft Flight Test Data
Aircraft Design 1
Design Characteristics?
Large wing surface?:
Wing straight, slightly curved or has folds incorporated within?:
Pointed nose or flat?:
Does the airplane have a tail?:
Where is the Center or Gravity? (i.e. front heavy, tail heavy?):
Flight 1:
Distance
Traveled (ft)
Flight Characteristics




Stability?
Landing?
Straight flight or
curved?
Initially climbed or
soared
Average
Distance (ft)
Flight 2:
Distance
Traveled (ft)
Flight Characteristics




Stability?
Landing?
Straight flight or
curved?
Initially climbed or
soared
Aircraft Design 2
Design Characteristics?
Large wing surface?:
Wing straight, slightly curved or has folds incorporated within?:
Pointed nose or flat?:
Does the airplane have a tail?:
Where is the Center or Gravity? (i.e. front heavy, tail heavy?):
Flight 1:
Distance
Traveled (ft)
Flight Characteristics




Stability?
Landing?
Straight flight or
curved?
Initially climbed or
soared
Average
Distance (ft)
Flight 2:
Distance
Traveled (ft)
Flight Characteristics




Stability?
Landing?
Straight flight or
curved?
Initially climbed or
soared
Aircraft Design 3
Design Characteristics?
Large wing surface?:
Wing straight, slightly curved or has folds incorporated within?:
Pointed nose or flat?:
Does the airplane have a tail?:
Where is the Center or Gravity? (i.e. front heavy, tail heavy?):
Flight 1:
Distance
Traveled (ft)
Flight Characteristics




Stability?
Landing?
Straight flight or
curved?
Initially climbed or
soared
Average
Distance (ft)
Flight 2:
Distance
Traveled (ft)
Flight Characteristics




Stability?
Landing?
Straight flight or
curved?
Initially climbed or
soared