The Cezar Banks-designed Leading Edge Endurance Flyer incorporates the most aerodynamically advanced concepts ever

offered in a complete, ready-to-build kit. Our Kit ships with laser cut parts to build 2 planes suitable for local competition.

State/National wing & stab upgrade kit will be available separately in plenty of time for the later events. 
 Read detailed kit description below...

THE LEADING EDGE IS NOT CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION. Science Olympiad has a Div.C (only) Helicopter event. 

There is no fixed wing event, unless individual states or schools are planning such an event.

THE LEADING EDGE IS NOT A SUITABLE DESIGN FOR THE 2011 TSA ENDURANCE FLYING EVENT. 

You can also download the plans for a generic Leading Edge design at
http://www.indoornewsandviews.com/files/downloads/LeadingEdge.pdf  
     

Suggested Supplies and Accessories:
STRONGLY recommended unless you already have these: 10:1 or 15:1 winder, Grip Pins, O-rings (required),

Replacement Motors & Props
     Our closest rubber motor match is the .0938" (M377). It is at the high end of the motors supplied with the kit. You may

compensatefor increased mass per unit cross section by increasing prop pitch, which will slow the prop speed. If this increases

thrust more than is desired, you may compensate if the plane climbs too quickly by backing off some winds (experiment to see

how many). The real issue is the total mass of rubber. Width is not entirely reliable, since thickness varies a little. There is

probably no single ideal value for motor weight and prop pitch taken together. 
Important: You MUST attach an O-ring to the tail end of the motor to facilitate removing and replacing the motor from the motor

hook for winding. Hold the motor at 30 degrees from the fuselage while winding, and have your partner hold a cardboard sheet

between the motor and fuselage to protect the airplane from damage if you lose control of the motor while winding. Wind about

1/3 to half the winds while stretching the motor to 5x to 7x its length, then walk in slowly while winding the remainder. 
     Ikara props - same as those included in kit - are available on our construction supplies page.

Try this experimental idea for better performance.
     When a motor stick is under the linear and torisonal load of a fully wound motor, it may bow or twist slightly. This results in a

change in the angle of the stabilizer relative to the wing, and may cause erratic performance during the critical first seconds after

launch. Symptoms include:
1) airplane dives on launch.
2) airplane rotates (rolls) left and dives at launch (added wash-in on the left wing can help)
3) airplane hardly climbs and flies in "pylon turns" at relatively high speed.
4) airplane climbs slightly during the last seconds of flight then enters a stall.
     Tom Sanders has offered a truly elegant solution. Instead of attaching the  tailboom to the end of the motor stick, use a longer

tailboom of sufficient thickness and attach it at the front on the top of the motor stick, approximately where the prop hanger is

mounted. This isolates the stab from distortions of the motorstick caused by motor loading.