How to Make the Fastest Paper Airplane

Paper airplanes entertain children and adults. The materials are simple and easily available. When you make and fly a paper airplane, you are applying physics and using your imagination. Paper airplanes can teach scientific principles and promote competitive play for all ages, as this basic toy is taught in elementary schools and postgraduate aerodynamics coursework.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of copy paper
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Cut across the fold. Set one section aside. You will not use it. Fold the piece you will use in half lengthwise.

2. Measure 2 inches from the bottom of the lower right-hand corner of the unfolded edge. Draw a line from that measuement inward to the top left-hand corner (at the fold). Cut across this line.

3. In the lower right-hand corner of the unfolded side, measure from the cut line to 1/2 inch from the fold and cut. Measure and mark 1/2 inch from the last cut (1/2 inch from the fold), half way between the cut and the paper edge. Draw a line from the cut to the mark and back toward the edge (a zigzag). Cut along this line.

4. Fold the first wing away from you, folding 1/2 inch from the folded edge. Repeat on the other side.

5. On the smaller tail piece, fold the pointed edge toward the fold on both sides. Make sure the folds in both Steps 4 and 5 are the same on each side.

References

• A Custom Plane