0 votes
by (194k points)

There are many ways to fold a paper airplane, but here's a simple yet effective method to create a classic dart that flies well:

1 Answer

0 votes
by (194k points)
 
Best answer

Materials:

  • A single sheet of regular printer paper (A4 or letter size)

Instructions:

  1. Start with the paper flat: Place the sheet of paper on a flat surface with the shorter side facing you.

  2. Make the first fold: Hold the top edge of the paper and fold it down to meet the opposite long edge, creating a crease down the center of the paper. Unfold the paper again.

  3. Fold the corners in: Take the top two corners and fold them down towards the center crease you just made. Ideally, the points should meet exactly in the middle, but a slight overlap is okay.

  4. Optional mountain fold: Along the folds you just made in step 3, you can create a optional "mountain fold" by pinching the folded paper slightly upwards along the crease. This can add a bit of stability to the wings.

  5. Bottom fold: Fold the entire bottom section of the paper upwards, along the long edge that's opposite you. The exact fold height can vary depending on how you like your airplane to fly. A good starting point is to fold it up to about 1/3 to ½ way up the plane's body (the folded corners).

  6. Wing creases: With the airplane standing upright, hold it gently in the middle where the body meets the wings (the folded corners). Make a slight downward crease outward on each wing, bending them down a little. The angle of this wing fold will affect how your airplane flies. Experiment with different angles to see what works best for you. A smaller downward bend creates a more level flight, while a sharper bend can make the airplane dive more.

  7. Test flight and adjust: Now it's time to fly! Hold the plane by the fuselage (body) just below the wings and give it a good throw forward with a slightly upward motion. See how it flies and make small adjustments to the wing folds if needed.

Tips:

  • Use a crisp, unfolded piece of paper for the best results.
  • Experiment with different throwing techniques for distance and stability.
  • You can decorate your airplane with markers, crayons, or stickers after it's folded.
  • There are many other paper airplane designs online. Once you master this basic design, you can explore more complex folds for different flight characteristics.

Have fun folding and flying your paper airplane!

Welcome to How, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...