Submitted by: Ken Alexander
Public Relations-Volunteer
MAPS Air Museum
Cre8ivmarcom@aol.com

June 11, 2007

STUDENTS RAISE ALMOST $2400 FOR MUSEUM

Glen Oak High School Engineering Tech students use class project to design and build ultra lightweight flying model aircraft and hold a fly-a-thon to raise money for MAPS Air museum.

Green, Ohio – GlenOak teacher Jim Walbeck challenged this year’s engineering tech junior class to raise $2,000 for the MAPS Air Museum. (Military Aviation Preservation Society) “I gave them a goal to raise $2,000 for the museum. I wasn’t sure they would be able to do it in only 5 weeks, but I thought it was possible.” Said Walbeck. “The class project was for each student to design and construct an ultra lightweight model airplane that would fly via rubber band power. The students raised the money through a fly-a-thon and having people to sponsor their airplanes.”

NOTE: Press Release continued below photographs...

Teacher Jim Walbeck and model aircraft creator Travis Warstler, student, wind the rubber band to prepare the model for flight.

Travis Warstler launches his aircraft.

Model stays aloft for over 2.5 minutes.

Left to right: Jim Walbeck, teacher watches as museum director, Terry Harriman, accepts the engineering class’ donation of $2,395 from student Jared Truax. Truax raised the most money for the museum. Sponsors for his airplane contributed over $1,000. Student Travis Warstler holds his model plane.

GlenOak High School 2007 Engineering Tech students gather in front of their favorite museum display aircraft, the F-14 Tomcat. 

GlenOak High School Engineering Tech class of 2007 listen to MAPS member, Bob Withee talk about his 
experiences flying P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs in the Pacific during WWII.

“I bring my class to visit the MAPS Air Museum every year. There the students can see aircraft from early gliders to modern jet fighters.” Continued Mr. Walbeck. “They are particularly interested in the restoration work and how it’s done. MAPS is unique in letting visitors tour their restoration facility so you can see what goes into rebuilding an airplane for flight or static display. We decided to raise money for the museum because of the history they showcase and the ties to aviation and engineering.”

Students had five weeks to create plans for their airplanes then construct them of balsa wood and micro-polymer film. Everything is built by hand except the bearing for the propeller and the rubber band. The planes have a wingspan of about fifteen inches but weigh only 2.5 grams. “The planes are so light,” explains teacher Walbeck, “that the wind created by a person walking will affect the flight.”

The MAPS hanger was used to demonstrate how well these planes fly. Student Travis Warstler wound the rubber band then carefully hand-launched the plane he had created. Lazily, the plane began to fly in 12 foot circles, climbing 20 feet into the air. It stayed aloft for over two and-a-half minutes before it descended to the floor for a gentle landing on its belly.

“I gave them a challenge, and the class really came through.” Said teacher Walbeck. “They raised over $2,375 for the museum. I am so proud of them.”

Terry Harriman, one of the museum’s directors, accepted the donation and thanked the students for their support. He also informed the class that the museum would put one of their model planes on display and a plaque would commemorate their efforts.

The aircraft must meet the following A-6 construction requirements:
1.  Maximum wing area 30 in².
2.  Maximum stabilizer area 15 in².
3.  Maximum 6” motor stick.
4.  Maximum 6” diameter propeller.
5.  Propeller blades must be made from flat 1/32” sheet 6.  
7.  Minimum 1/16” square wing and tail spars.
8.  Minimum 1/16” x 1/32” ribs.
9.  Wing, stabilizer, and rudder must be covered with paper or film.