To make a basic paper airplane, follow these general steps:
- Start with a standard sheet of paper (8.5 x 11 inches or A4).
- Fold the paper in half lengthwise (hot dog style) and then unfold it to create a center crease.
- Fold the top two corners inward so they meet at the center crease, forming a triangle at the top.
- Fold the small triangle at the bottom of the folded corners up to lock the corners in place.
- Fold the paper in half along the original center crease, folding inward so the triangle flap is visible on the bottom.
- Fold the wings down so their edges line up with the bottom edge of the airplane, making sure both wings are symmetrical.
- Optionally, adjust the wing tips or add small folds for stability and better flight.
This will give you a classic dart-style paper airplane that flies well
. For a more advanced design that flies farther and locks together at the nose, you can follow the "Mystic" paper airplane instructions:
- Fold the paper in half lengthwise and open it.
- Fold triangles from the top corners to the center.
- Fold the top section down.
- Fold the top right corner to the center, slightly above the middle point, then do the same on the left.
- Fold a small triangle up over the layers.
- Fold the plane in half.
- Fold a short edge to the left edge, open and tuck layers into pockets.
- Fold the wings down.
This design can fly over 100 feet and is relatively easy to fold
. You can also find detailed printable plans and video tutorials on websites like Fold 'N Fly, or watch step-by-step videos on YouTube for various models, including jets and record-setting planes
. In summary, start with simple folds for a basic plane, then explore more complex designs for better flight performance.
