How to Make a Stunt Paper Airplane

Paper airplanes are simple ways to explore the relationship between gravity and space. Kids learn how to use their imagination and how to apply physics using simple materials found virtually anywhere. Make sure you have a clean, safe work surface.

Things You'll Need

• Single sheet of copy paper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors

Instructions

Make a Stunt Plane

1. Fold paper in half, lengthwise, with the fold away from you and the two sides closest to you. In the lower-right corner of the non-folded end, measure 1.5 inches deep along the long side and mark. At the opposite corner (the fold side) measure 1.5 inches deep and mark. Along the length of the short end on the right side, measure and mark 3.5 inches from both edges (two marks). Midway between the 1.5 inch marks on the long sides and the 3.5 inch marks on the short side, measure 1 inch up from the short edge and mark. Connect the dots to form two triangles and cut out.

2. Open the sheet of paper. At the opposite end from the cuts, fold each corner of the rectangle inward to the center to make a point at the top of the paper. Edges should be aligned with the center crease.

3. Take the point at the top and bring it down toward the bottom, folding it over so you once again have a rectangle and the point is pointing toward the cut end of the plane. Take the rectangle corners and bring them together in the middle again, as you did in Step 2.

4. Turn the plane over so the side facing you earlier is face down on the table. From the pointed end to the cut end, fold the plane in half lengthwise.

5. Measure .5 inches from the folded edge, from the tip of the plane toward the end you cut in the first step. Open the wing away from you, folding it and creasing it just .5 inches from the fold. Fold the opposite wing the same way. You end up with a narrow plane body with two wings.

References

• Stealth Stunt Plane