Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Folding the paper airplane
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

The image most people have of paper airplanes is a poorly folded sheet of paper floating lazily around the classroom. However, the basic design has come a long way over the years, and it's now a breeze to create a paper airplane that can fly fast and travel a distance equivalent to a properly thrown Frisbee. All it takes is a few minutes of free time and a steady hand. Take a sturdy sheet of paper, make tight, precise folds and watch your creation cut through the air.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Folding the paper airplane

1. Start with a flat sheet of paper. Take a sheet of paper and place it on a flat surface in front of you. Make sure the paper doesn't have any wrinkles, folds, or wrinkles yet, as this can prevent the finished plane from flying properly. It is recommended that you start with a larger piece of paper to make it easier to learn the folds before trying other papers.
   • It's easiest to fold the plane down from the top of the paper.
   • In view of following these instructions, plain A4 letterhead works best.
2. Choose a sheet of paper with the correct weight. To make your paper airplane float properly, it is important that you use paper that is neither too light nor too heavy. In most cases, standard A4 letterhead is the perfect size, weight and thickness to create an airplane that, once folded, will fly several feet correctly. The light weight of thin paper such as newsprint keeps the plane from catching the air, while cardstock, construction paper and other heavier papers create too much resistance and are also more difficult to fold.
   • The type of paper generally used in offices - clear, smooth, and perfectly weighted - is excellent for making paper airplanes.
   • It is okay to use thinner paper for smaller planes as the compact size will compensate for the weight difference. Heavier paper can be used for large paper airplanes.
3. Make sure it is a standard size. Until you get the hang of folding, avoid handling paper of unusual sizes. Most paper airplane folding instructions are based on A4 size paper. Dramatically changing the height or width of the paper can cause the plane to look different, and if it is too wide or narrow, it won't fly at all.
   • If you are working with used paper, cut or tear it until it is about the proportions of an A4, then reproduce the folds on a slightly larger or smaller scale.
4. Use paper with permanent folds. Another advantage of medium-weight papers, such as letterhead and printing paper, is that creases stay in place. This is especially important if you want your plane to fly far and fast, because sloppy, loose folds will make a paper plane less aerodynamic. As a rule, the smoother the paper, the easier it is to fold. Avoid pulp papers and those with large fibers that become soft when folded.
   • You can hardly fold cotton paper, foil, laminate and glossy paper.
   • Apply pressure to each fold you make and go along the fold a few times. The neater the fold, the better the plane will hold its shape.

Tips

• Always hold your paper airplane by the nose to avoid damaging the wings.
• Test the paper airplane in an open area with plenty of space so that it doesn't collide with any obstacles.
• For the best flight, throw the plane forward and up, at a slight angle.
• Use a new sheet of paper for one paper plane. * Do not reuse paper that has already been folded.
• If you make a big mistake while folding, just start over with a new sheet of paper.
• Use a ruler to make the edges extra precise.
• Throw the plane from the back.
• Use the correct paper and surface for folding an airplane, otherwise the construction is not good for flying long and well.
• Use the right kind of paper - make sure it's not too fragile, such as tissue paper. Easy-to-fold printing paper (if light enough) is fine.

Warnings

• Try to prevent your plane from hitting things. Once it is bent or damaged it will not fly properly.
• Do not throw paper airplanes at people.
• If your paper airplane gets wet, you can't do anything with it.

Necessities

• A smooth, sturdy sheet of paper (preferably A4)