How to Build the Manta Paper Plane

A manta paper airplane is one of the best fliers.

Paper planes range in style and design anywhere from simplistic to complex, from primitive to elegant. The manta paper plane is one of the simplest designs and is among the easiest to make. It is named after the manta ray sea creature, whose shape it resembles. While not all paper planes fly effectively, the spare design of the manta paper plane flies with a graceful glide, much like its namesake glides through the oceans.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of paper

Instructions

1. Start with a standard letter-sized sheet of paper. Use printer or notebook paper that measures 8 ½ by 11 inches. European size A4 paper also works.

2. Place the paper horizontally on a table so the long sides are on the top and bottom. Pick up the lower left corner and fold the paper on a long diagonal so a crease runs from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. The other two corners now form the top points of two triangular flaps opposite the creased edge.

3. Turn the model slightly so the creased edge is on the bottom and is horizontal. Fold entire creased edge up one thumb's width toward the top. Crease this fold well by running your thumbnail along the fold. Fold it up again along the same edge and run your thumbnail along it again. Now the model has two triangular flaps with the points on top and a double-folded edge along the bottom.

4. Fold the bottom right corner toward the middle, keeping the bottom edge lined up with itself. Crease it vertically from the tip of the right-hand triangle and unfold. Now you have a triangular flap on the right side that sticks up a little

5. Repeat Step 4 for the left side of the model. When you are done, you will have two equal side flaps sticking up on either side. It now starts to look like a manta ray.

6. Turn the model over so the flaps protrude downward. Grasp the model with both hands at the double-folded edge with thumbs and forefingers at the points just beyond where the side flaps begin. Your fingers should not be touching the middle portion of the plane between the creases.

7. Turn the model in both hands perpendicular to a table's edge and move it in a sawing motion against the table. The back and forth motion should curve the middle section slightly.

8. Turn the model back over so it is slightly concave. Now grasp the model in both hands between thumbs and forefingers on either side of one of the side flaps. Move the flap section against the table edge to slightly curve it in the opposite direction from the middle section.

9. Repeat Step 8 for the other flap. Now your manta plane is finished and should gracefully curve downward in the middle and upward on the sides.

Tips & Warnings

• Throw the manta paper plane with the double-folded edge leading and the side flaps upward. Toss in a horizontal motion and gently release it at the end of your arm stroke. It should float on the air gracefully.

References

• YouTube: How to build the Manta Paper Plane