How to Make a Paper Airplane: A-3 Afterburner

The A-3 Afterburner is a classic paper airplane design that is known for its long flight time and impressive afterburner effect. This effect is created by a small flap on the back of the plane that creates a burst of air, propelling the plane forward. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of making an A-3 Afterburner paper airplane.

Materials

• A single sheet of standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper

Instructions

1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Make a crisp crease down the center of the paper.
2. Fold the top corners down to the center crease. Make sure the edges of the corners line up with the center crease.
3. Fold the top flap down again. Fold the top section of the paper down so that it lines up with the bottom edge of the paper.
4. Fold the wings out. Fold the sides of the paper out to create the wings of the airplane. The wings should be about halfway down the length of the paper.
5. Fold the tail fin up. Fold the back edge of the paper up to create the tail fin. Make sure the tail fin is about the same height as the wings.
6. Create the afterburner flap. Fold the top flap of the tail fin down to create a small flap. This flap will create the afterburner effect when the plane is in flight.
7. Adjust the wings. Once you have created the afterburner flap, you can adjust the wings to change the flight characteristics of the plane. If you want the plane to fly longer, you can make the wings wider. If you want the plane to fly faster, you can make the wings narrower.

Tips for Flying Your A-3 Afterburner

• Use a smooth, flat surface to launch your plane. A table or desk is ideal.
• Launch the plane with a gentle, forward motion. Do not throw the plane.
• Experiment with different launch angles. You may find that launching the plane at a slightly upward angle will give it a longer flight time.
• Have fun!

Conclusion

The A-3 Afterburner is a fun and easy paper airplane to make. With a little practice, you can master the art of folding and flying this classic design. So gather your materials and get ready to have some fun!