[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 6 - 08:41:49 ]
If you can't make it to the chat, but still ahve some questions that you'd like to ask, go ahead and send them now and Dr. Yechout will answer them once the chat begins...

[ Expert - 9 - 09:46:59 ]
RE: [Tyler] Can I participate without the video. We cannot get it on.
Tyler you are welcome to join the chat!

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 11 - 09:51:28 ]
Hello Everyone! Today's chat will begin momentarily...

[ DrYechout - 12 - 09:55:56 ]
Hi everyone. I'm in the chat room and ready to answer your questions. I have about 20 minutes to do this until I have to go to a meeting. I hope you have good questions.

[ DrYechout - 13 - 09:57:33 ]
RE: [MarybethGreenmeadow] Do the airforce students build gliders?
Yes, our students at the Academy build balsa wood gliders in our Aeronautics class. The gliders have a maximum wingspan of 14" and each student must design his or her own. They all have unique designs and apply the concepts learned in the course to hopefully make their gliders fly as far as possible and as straight as possible.

[ DrYechout - 16 - 10:11:53 ]
RE: [Barbara] How important is wingspan to the success of a glider?
Wingspan is very important. Generally, the larger the wingspan, the further your glider will fly. However you have to be careful not to get your chord length (the distance between the front of the wing and the trailing edge) too small or too large. If you keep the chord length between about 3" and 12" for a small glider you should have good success.

[ DrYechout - 17 - 10:14:08 ]
RE: [Marybeth] What happens if you drill the hole in the wrong place?
You should drill the hole at the center of gravity. If it is in the wrong place, the wind tunnel results will be in error. An aircraft rotates about the C.G. in flight and we need to have it rotate about the same point in the wind tunnel.

[ DrYechout - 20 - 10:19:06 ]
RE: [Marybeth] Is that why some of the gliders look wobbly?
It could be. Usually, it takes a few tries with design changes to optimize your glider. One thing that helps to stabilize a glider is to move the C.G. forward. Another common problem is construction of an unsymetrical glider.

[ DrYechout - 21 - 10:21:49 ]
Thanks everyone. It's been fun. I have to leave now.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 23 - 10:22:46 ]
Marybeth and Barbara: Thank you very much for sending in your questions to Dr. Yechout today! Dr. Yechout needs to leave to attend a meeting now, so unless you have one more question to ask, we'll say goodbye...

[ DrYechout - 24 - 10:23:27 ]
RE: [Marybeth] Have you tested something else in the tunnl like rotors or spacecraft?
Yes, we test all kinds of things from airplane designs, to spacecraft, to even ski jumpers. It is a lot of fun.

[ Susan/NASA - 26 - 10:33:43 ]
RE: [Ann] Is testing in these wind tunnels similar to those used by NASCAR?
Hi Ann, similar for sure, the one at the academy has a small test space.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 27 - 10:35:26 ]
Please let us know how we're doing with our QuestChats by filling out a short online survey at the end of today's chat. Your response to this will help us serve you better :-) The survey can be found at-- http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/qchat-surveys Thank you!

[ Susan/NASA - 28 - 10:35:29 ]
What do you know about the NASCAR test?

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 29 - 10:38:33 ]
Ann: If you're still out there and have a few more questions, Susan Lee, manager of Quest's Aerospace Team Online project, will be happy to answer them for you. (Dr. Yechout had to leave the chat room early for a meeting.)

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 30 - 10:38:34 ]
Ann: If you're still out there and have a few more questions, Susan Lee, project manager of Quest's Aerospace Team Online project, will be happy to answer them for you. (Dr. Yechout had to leave the chat room early for a meeting.)

[ Susan/NASA - 33 - 10:45:12 ]
Well Sandy, on behalf of Aerospace Team Online I would like to thank you for filming the test at the Air Force academy.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 34 - 10:50:31 ]
RE: [Susan/NASA] Well Sandy, on behalf of Aerospace Team Online I would like to thank you for filming the test at the Air Force academy.
It was my pleasure Susan! It was a fascinating project! Goodbye everyone! Be sure to check out the Quest Calendar for upcoming chats and webcasts-- http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/events

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 35 - 11:06:39 ]
If anyone comes into the chat room later today and would like to post a question, please do! You will NOT see your question appear immediately on the screen as this chat is being moderated. I will check into the chat room several times today and will post your questions as I see them.

[ Ann - 36 - 13:10:51 ]
Sorry, I had to leave the chat earlier. In response to Susan's question of my knowledge of the NASCAR test (wind-tunnel wise): Guess you could call me a NASCAR freak. I know of the importance of aerodynamics in relation to the cars. The wind tunnel test determines what changes the cars need in order to perform better (go faster) at the tracks. The more aerodynamically built, and staying within NASCAR rules, the better the chances are that you'll be a fierce competitor in the race.