Big things come in small packages. This holds true in case of the ‘penny plane’ designed and flown successfully by a Nagpurian. One will be surprised to know that this ‘penny plane’ weighs only three grammes, and is rubber-powered! It was showcased in the first ultralight aeromodelling show held in the city recently.

 

 

 

 

Rajesh Joshi, an expert aeromodelling instructor from Nagpur, has made it possible. In an aeromodelling show held recently, he flew the ‘penny plane’ that weighs just three grammes. Still, it lasted in the air for 1 minute and 38 seconds! Joshi made the plane by cutting shaving blades and forming sticks. The covering material was made of Mylar, which is a polyester film from stretched polyethylenne terephthalate. Mylar is also known as biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate or BoPET. Joshi used it for ‘penny plane’ for its high tensile strength and dimensional stability. “The plane does not have an engine. It flies with the help of rubber,” he said while explaining how he built it.

A few days ago, young and expert aeromodellers of Nagpur displayed their unique skills in indoor ultralight rubber-powered aeromodelling show organised by Rajesh Joshi at Mankapur Indoor Stadium. Joshi showcased his ‘penny plane’ weighing just three grammes. Some students also showcased their innovations in the show.

 

Maheshwar Sunil Dhone, a Class X student and a member of Aerovision, flew a walk-along glider made up of thermocol during the show. Nishad Gedam, another young member of Aerovision, flew F1D model that flew in air for 29 seconds. It was just 2.30 milligram plane with 55 cm wing spread.

 

A6 Class rubber powered aeromodel was the major attraction of the show. The plane was feather-light and handmade. Indian Navy Commander (Retd) T R Ananthanarayanan, who is a leading aeromodelling expert, had introduced the ultra-light aeromodelling last year for the first time in India. He himself made such aeromodels and flew them in an indoor stadium in Sonepat last year.

 

About the ultralight aeromodelling, Joshi said that a good aeromodeller could become a good pilot because he/she is aware of basic and fundamentals of aerodynamics. “Keeping this in mind I have started such shows and Nagpur hosted the first show,” Joshi added. The show received an overwhelming response as school and college students experienced such feather-light aircraft in Nagpur. Joshi is an expert aeromodelling instructor who has several prizes and medals to his name. A Limca Book record holder, he has made almost all types of aeromodels, except Ornithopter and Autogyro. “To make India proud I will prepare the two remaining aeromodels soon,” Joshi said. O D Sharma, Aeromodellers Association, Delhi; and Satya Ranjan Dey, Head of the Department, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), and others also were present during the show.