How to Make a Paper Airplane that Flies Over 50 Meters
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by paper airplanes. I love the simple joy of folding a piece of paper and watching it soar through the air. There’s something so satisfying about taking a flat piece of paper and transforming it into something that can fly. But, I’ve always been frustrated by the fact that most paper airplanes don’t fly very far. They usually just go a few feet before crashing to the ground. That’s why I was so excited to learn about the Rubicon, a paper airplane design that’s known for its ability to fly over 100 feet. I’ve been using this design for years and it’s always a hit with kids and adults alike.
The Rubicon Paper Airplane
The Rubicon was designed by Will Barron, a paper airplane enthusiast who has been folding paper airplanes for over 20 years. He’s won numerous paper airplane competitions and has even broken a few world records. The Rubicon is one of his most popular designs, and it’s easy to see why.
The Rubicon is a relatively simple design to fold, but it’s surprisingly effective. It’s also very durable, so you can fold it over and over again without it breaking. The key to the Rubicon’s long flight distance is its unique wing design. The wings are curved and angled in a way that creates lift and reduces drag. This allows the airplane to glide through the air for a longer distance. The Rubicon is a great choice for beginners and experienced paper airplane folders alike. It’s easy to fold, fun to fly, and it can fly surprisingly far.
How to Fold a Rubicon Paper Airplane
Here are the steps on how to fold a Rubicon paper airplane:
- Start with a standard 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper. It is best to use a lighter weight paper, like copy paper. Heavier paper will be harder to fold and will not fly as far.
- Fold the paper in half lengthwise, creasing the fold firmly. You should end up with a long rectangle.
- Fold the top two corners down to meet the crease you just made.
- Fold the top flap down again, but this time, only fold it halfway down the paper.
- Fold the top flap down one more time, folding it all the way down to the bottom of the paper.
- Fold the paper in half again, this time folding it in half widthwise.
- Now, you are going to fold the wings. Take the top of the paper and fold it down about 1/4 of the way.
- Next, fold the bottom of the paper up about 1/4 of the way.
- Fold the wings down one more time, making sure that the folds are even.
- You are almost done! Now, you need to make the tail. Take the back of the airplane and fold the bottom edge up about 1/4 of the way.
- Fold the tail up one more time, making sure the folds are even.
- Finally, take the back of the airplane and bend the tail down slightly.
You are now ready to fly your Rubicon! Stand in an open area and launch your plane by throwing it forward with a slight upward angle. Make sure to throw it with a good amount of force to get it up to speed.
Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with different throwing techniques to see how far you can make your Rubicon fly. You can also experiment with different paper types and weights to see how they affect the flight distance.
Tips for Flying Your Rubicon
- Make sure the folds are sharp and crisp. This will help the airplane to glide through the air more smoothly.
- Throw the airplane with a good amount of force. This will help it to gain speed and altitude.
- Try to launch the airplane on a calm day. Wind can affect the flight distance.
- Experiment with different throwing angles to see what works best for you.
Other Paper Airplane Designs
If you’re looking for other paper airplane designs to try, there are plenty of resources available online. Here are a few of my favorites:
I hope you enjoy learning how to fold the Rubicon paper airplane. It’s a fun and easy way to spend an afternoon, and it’s a great way to impress your friends! Happy flying!