Wing
Tester
User Guide
57205 V0311
Weight
Fan Switch
Gauge
Brass micro coun-
terweight (left)
and counter-
weight (right)
Mounting Socket
Funnel
Balance
Arm
Thumbscrew
Wing Support
Bracket
Figure 1
Wing Tester Overview
The Pitsco Wing Tester is designed to visually
demonstrate the principle of lift and to evaluate
the design and performance of model wing airfoil
sections.
The Wing Tester accomplishes this by suspending
the wing in a moving airstream, simulating actual
flight. As the air moved by the tester’s fans passes a
properly constructed wing, lift is generated and the
wing rises. Weights representing cargo can be added
to the wing while it is in flight. The amount of weight
supported by a wing before it sinks is a measure of
its design efficiency. This visual demonstration is an
excellent way to introduce students to the hard-tograsp concepts of lift, drag, Bernoulli’s principle, and
Newtonian physics.
Wing Tester User Guide 57205 V0311
Students can design and build their airfoils using the
Pitsco Wing Caddy (57246) or the Pitsco Foam Wing
Cutter (17080) and test them on the Wing Tester to
see whose design is the most efficient.
Wing Tester Components
The Wing Tester comes with the components listed
below and shown above. If anything is missing, call
Customer Service at 800-358-4983.
• Wing Tester unit
• Balance arm
• Wing support bracket
• Brass washers
• Rubber bands
• Funnel
Assembling the Wing Tester
1. Slide the balance arm into the mounting socket
on the top of the Wing Tester unit. Align the holes
in the balance arm with the mounting socket
thumbscrew and tighten the thumbscrew.
2. Place the funnel on the balance arm as shown in
Figure 1.
3. Raise the weight gauge on top of the tester to its
upright position.
Operating the Wing Tester
Place the Wing Tester on a flat, level surface and plug
it into a standard 120-volt electrical outlet. Advise
students to follow these safety precautions when
using and storing the Wing Tester:
• Do not place hands, loose clothing, books, or
other items within two feet of the fan intake or
exhaust while the Wing Tester is in operation.
• Use the Wing Tester only after watching the
instructor demonstrate its proper use.
• Unplug the Wing Tester when it is not in use.
• Store the Wing Tester in a safe, dry place.
Testing a Wing
1. The wing support
bracket is held
on to the balance
arm by a magnet
– carefully, pull the
bracket at an angle
until it comes free
of the balance arm
(Figure 2).
2. Loop the rubber
band onto the
bracket (Figure 3).
Place the test wing
on the bracket so
the two bracket
ends are visible in
front of the airfoil.
Stretch the rubber
band over the top
of the wing and
loop it over the
bracket ends in front of the
test wing (Figure 4).
Figure 2
Figure 3
3. Reattach the
bracket to the
balance arm so the
bracket ends face
the tester.
4. Balance the wing,
which counters
the effect of
Figure 4
gravity on the
wing. Hold the wing so the pointer is at zero on
the weight gauge. Adjust the counterweight and
release the mechanism. Make adjustments to the
counterweight and then the micro counterweight
until the pointer stays at zero. To ensure the wing is
balanced, move it up or down and release it. When
released, the wing should not move. A properly
balanced wing can be moved to any position and
will stay in that position when released.
5. Turn on the fan
switch. If the wing
has an efficient
shape, it will rise.
6. While the wing
is in the raised
position, carefully
drop washers in
the funnel on the
balance arm until
the wing descends
to the original level
Figure 5
position (Figure 5).
7. Now, verify that the wing has lift. Turn off the
Wing Tester. After the motor has stopped, turn on
the Wing Tester to the previous setting. The wing
should rise to the zero point.
8. On a piece of paper, record the number of
washers the wing supported. This is the load
that your airfoil supported. Efficient designs
support the heaviest loads.
Tip
To securely attach the airfoil to the tester's wing
support bracket, tape two Launch Lugs (50071)
to the underside of the airfoil so you can slide the
bracket ends through the lugs to hold the airfoil
on the support. Before taping, make sure the lugs
are centered on the airfoil.
Wing Tester User Guide 57205 V0311
Ideas for Additional Activities
Disclaimer
• Vary the angle of attack by placing a piece of
cardboard under the leading edge of the wing.
Rebalance the wing to compensate for the
additional weight of the cardboard. Does this
improve or impair the lift performance of the
wing?
• Demonstrate the concept of stall by gradually
increasing the angle of attack until lift is no longer
produced.
• Add a flap by taping a piece of card stock on the
trailing edge of the wing. Bend the flap up and
down to observe the aerodynamic effects.
Pitsco, Inc., is not responsible for bodily injury
or property damage resulting from misuse of its
products. Always follow standard safety procedures
to ensure student safety.
P.O. Box 1708 • Pittsburg, KS 66762
www.pitsco.com
Toll-Free Orders 800-835-0686
Wing Tester User Guide 57205 V0311
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