Tungsten Alloy Counterweight in Glider

Tungsten alloy counterweight helps the glider fly at a faster optimal speed by increasing the mass of the main body, as well as calming down the speed to make sure it is not influenced by the turbulent air it flies through.

What is Glider?

A glider is a type of aircraft used in the leisure activity and sport of gliding. This unpowered aircraft uses naturally occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to remain airborne. They are aerodynamically streamlined and are capable of gaining altitude and remaining airborne, and maintaining forward motion. They benefit from producing the least drag for any given amount of lift, and this is best achieved with long, thin wings, a fully faired narrow cockpit and a slender fuselage.

Common Materials Used for Ballast.

Lead, brass and tungsten are the most common materials used for ballast in glider. Lead is most common as it is cheap, easy to find, and comparatively heavy. However, Lead is losing its popularity due to its toxicity to human body and natural environment. Brass is a nice material to use and is also quite economical to use. It is recommend using it for weights up to around 40 grams. Much more above that, the ballast stick becomes too long, which spreads the mass too far from the center of gravity, thus increasing the its moment inertia. Tungsten is the premium material to use due to its extremely high density at a low volume. Tungsten has a density of between 16.8g and 18.75g per m3, approximately 50-60% heavier than lead. The resulting component is only approximately 60% of the size of its lead counterpart at the same weight. This means that ballast components can be 40% smaller, which widens possibilities for distribution.

Advantages of Tungsten Alloy Counterweight in Glider.

The loading, weight and balance of an aircraft are one of the most important items as it affects both performance and stability. Using tungsten alloy counterweight as ballast during flying allows different small compact weights to be positioned in precise locations. This brings the center of gravity within limits at the same time as reducing the overall weight of glider.

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