How to Make Paper Airplanes: 5 Competition-Winning Designs

Paper airplanes are a classic childhood pastime that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They're also a great way to learn about aerodynamics and engineering. In this article, we'll explore five competition-winning paper airplane designs that you can try at home.

1. The Dart

The Dart is a simple, yet effective design that is known for its long flight distance and accuracy. It's a great choice for beginners and is perfect for flying indoors or outdoors.

Instructions:

1. Fold a standard piece of paper in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the top corners down to the center crease.
3. Fold the top flap down again, but this time only fold the top half.
4. Fold the wings back up, creating a dihedral angle.
5. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.

Tips:

• Use a heavier paper for a longer flight.
• Experiment with different wing angles to find the best flight characteristics.

2. The Delta Wing

The Delta Wing is a more advanced design that is known for its stability and ability to fly long distances. It's a great choice for experienced paper airplane flyers.

Instructions:

1. Fold a standard piece of paper in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the top corners down to the center crease.
3. Fold the top flap down again, but this time only fold the top half.
4. Fold the wings back up, creating a dihedral angle.
5. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
6. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
7. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.

Tips:

• Use a heavier paper for a longer flight.
• Experiment with different wing angles to find the best flight characteristics.

3. The Glider

The Glider is a classic design that is known for its long gliding flight. It's a great choice for flying outdoors and can be launched from a high point for an even longer flight.

Instructions:

1. Fold a standard piece of paper in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the top corners down to the center crease.
3. Fold the top flap down again, but this time only fold the top half.
4. Fold the wings back up, creating a dihedral angle.
5. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
6. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
7. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
8. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
9. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.

Tips:

• Use a lighter paper for a longer glide.
• Launch the glider from a high point for a longer flight.

4. The Boomerang

The Boomerang is a unique design that is known for its ability to return to the thrower. It's a great choice for flying outdoors and can be a lot of fun to watch.

Instructions:

1. Fold a standard piece of paper in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the top corners down to the center crease.
3. Fold the top flap down again, but this time only fold the top half.
4. Fold the wings back up, creating a dihedral angle.
5. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
6. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
7. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
8. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
9. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
10. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
11. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.

Tips:

• Use a heavier paper for a longer flight.
• Throw the boomerang with a slight upward angle to help it return to you.

5. The Sky Shark

The Sky Shark is a more advanced design that is known for its speed and agility. It's a great choice for experienced paper airplane flyers who want to try something more challenging.

Instructions:

1. Fold a standard piece of paper in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the top corners down to the center crease.
3. Fold the top flap down again, but this time only fold the top half.
4. Fold the wings back up, creating a dihedral angle.
5. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
6. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
7. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
8. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
9. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
10. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
11. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.
12. Fold the wings back up again, creating a dihedral angle.
13. Fold the nose down to create a pointed tip.

Tips:

• Use a heavier paper for a faster flight.
• Launch the Sky Shark with a strong throw to help it gain speed.

With these five competition-winning paper airplane designs, you're sure to have hours of fun flying and experimenting. So grab some paper and get started!