KittyHawk Paper Airplane: How to Fold a Grand Prize Winner

The KittyHawk Paper Airplane: A Grand Prize Winner

Are you ready to take your paper airplane game to the next level? The KittyHawk is a grand prize winner of the 2021 Foldable Flight Paper Airplane Designer Contest, and it's not just a pretty face. This intermediate-level design boasts impressive flight characteristics, making it a favorite among enthusiasts.

In this article, we'll guide you through the steps of folding the KittyHawk paper airplane. We'll break down each step with clear instructions and illustrations, making it easy to follow along, even for beginners.

Materials You'll Need

• One sheet of standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper (letter size)

Folding the KittyHawk

Step 1: The Basic Fold

1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise, creasing the fold firmly.
2. Unfold the paper.
3. Fold the top two corners down to meet the center crease, creating two triangles.
4. Fold the bottom two corners up to meet the center crease, creating two more triangles.

Step 2: The Wings

1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise again, creasing the fold firmly.
2. Fold the top right corner down to the center crease, creating a small triangle.
3. Fold the bottom left corner up to the center crease, creating another small triangle.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other side.

Step 3: The Fuselage

1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise again, creasing the fold firmly.
2. Fold the top flap down to the center crease, creating a small triangle.
3. Fold the bottom flap up to the center crease, creating another small triangle.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other side.

Step 4: The Tail

1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise again, creasing the fold firmly.
2. Fold the top flap down to the center crease, creating a small triangle.
3. Fold the bottom flap up to the center crease, creating another small triangle.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other side.

Step 5: The Final Touches

1. Fold the paper in half lengthwise again, creasing the fold firmly.
2. Fold the top flap down to the center crease, creating a small triangle.
3. Fold the bottom flap up to the center crease, creating another small triangle.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other side.

Your KittyHawk paper airplane is now ready to fly! Practice launching it with a gentle flick of your wrist, experimenting with different angles and launch speeds to see how it performs.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you fly your KittyHawk, the better you'll become at understanding its flight characteristics and maximizing its performance.

Tips for Success

• Use a good quality paper for best results.
• Make sure your creases are sharp and crisp.
• Practice your launch technique.
• Experiment with different launch angles and speeds.
• Have fun!

The KittyHawk paper airplane is a great example of how a simple design can achieve impressive results. It's a fun and rewarding project for anyone who enjoys paper airplanes, and it's sure to impress your friends and family. So, gather your materials, follow the instructions, and get ready to take flight!