General Airfoil Question Re: Glider

[Big_Kahuna]

I'm doing a project for my AERO class and need to know what a good foil would be for a 4 ft. span, blue-foam glider launched using a hi-start whould be. we are graded on duration and load carrying capabilities, and I was trying to figure out what foil to use.

Would camber hurt or help?
Thicker wing v. thinner?
swept or perpendicular to longitudinal axis?
v tail: good or bad?

[Ollie]

Airfoils (depends):
Vs (sinking)
Cl max (~80% working Cl max)
Cdo
Chord
Wing area
Weight (unloaded )
Weight (loaded)
Start at launch altitude
Time
L/D
Thin, strong & light spar for thin airfoil for low drag
No swept wing

[Sparky Paul]

I'm doing a project for my AERO class and need to know what a good foil would be for a 4 ft. span, blue-foam glider launched using a hi-start whould be. we are graded on duration and load carrying capabilities, and I was trying to figure out what foil to use.

Would camber hurt or help?
Thicker wing v. thinner?
swept or perpendicular to longitudinal axis?
v tail: good or bad?
.
Camber. Yes. You'll need some. Clark-Y
Thicker will 'lift' more before collapse due to weight or hi-start stress.
Perpendicular. Don't make it harder than it need be.
V is simple, but so is normal, with sufficient dihedral in both cases.