How to Improve the Design of any Paper Airplane

Watching a common and dull piece of paperwork turn into a magical entity that defies gravity is a thing of wonder and awe if done correctly. Knowing the basic dart design doesn't guarantee that it will actually fly. Here are some pointers that will ensure an attractive and functional aerial creation.

Steps   

  1. Paper clip ballast
    Paper clip ballast
    Choose a design that has a lot of weight in the nose. All successful paper airplanes have a large portion of the whole plane's weight in the nose. Add paper clips or staples near the nose to adjust the weight and balance. If you don't have any of these on hand you can just fold in the very tip of the nose.
  2. Fold the paper airplane. For beginners, use the classic dart or get a book from the library if you haven't learned this technique.
  3. Toss it at the speed you would expect it to "want" to fly. This differs from plane to plane, but try a slow toss slightly down from level.
  4. Trim the plane to correct any problems. This is where origami is turned into aircraft, and where many people make mistakes. Make all of these bends very slightly. Tiny planes need tiny adjustments to make giant improvements!

    • If the plane goes right
      If the plane goes right
      If the plane goes right: Bend the left side of the tail up and the right side down.
    • If the plane goes left
      If the plane goes left
      If the plane goes left: Bend the right side up and the left side down.
    • If the plane goes down
      If the plane goes down
      If the plane goes down: Bend both sides up.
    • If the plane stalls
      If the plane stalls
      If the plane stalls (goes up too steeply and then stops and falls): Bend both sides down towards level. If it is still stalling, reconsider the design or add weight to the nose, as in step 1.
  5. Toss it again. Carefully observe subtle changes in flight behavior and repeat the adjustments in step 4 accordingly. When you toss it at its natural glide speed and it gracefully floats forward smoothly, you have magic on your hands.


Tips   

  • To keep the nose of a plane from crumpling in a crash, try adding spaghetti noodles that run from the nose to the tail. these can keep the plane together and serve as ballast too! also, if spaghetti is not on hand, make a blunt nose by folding the tip of the nose in towards the rear of the plane before creating wings.


Warnings   

  • Don't throw a paper airplane at a person or pet. Paper airplanes are generally pointy, and could damage an eyeball.