Forces on a Glider A glider is a special kind of aircraft that has no engine.
Paper airplanes are the most obvious example, but gliders come a wide range of sizes.
Toy gliders, made of balsa wood or styrofoam, are an excellent way for students to study the basics of aerodynamics . The Wright brothers perfected the design of the first airplane and gained piloting experience through a series of glider flights . These aircraft were similar to modern hang-gliders and were launched by running off a hill. More sophisticated gliders are launched by ground based catapults or are towed aloft by a powered aircraft then cut free to glide for long distances and for a long period of time before landing. As before, we have collected all of the component forces together and represent them by single forces acting through the center of gravity or the center of pressure.