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Paper Plane:
A paper plane is a toy aircraft, usually a glider made out of paper or paperboard. A brief
introduction of the four basic forces acting on the paper plane is given below. These forces are
very important in determining how much longer or how high your paper plane will fly.

Figure 1 Shows the Four Basic Forces acting on aircraft
Thrust is the force that propels the airplane into the air. In this case, this force is provided by
your own hand.

This paper briefly describes how to make some different designs of a paper plane and how
these designs can be improved by careful considerations. Some paper planes have an ability to
fly fast and straight while other fly (glide) very slowly, gently and smoothly.

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Material Requirement
1. Different types of paper (printer paper (A4), construction paper or card paper, tissue paper,
newspaper, etc.)
2. Scissors
Directions
1. Choose a type of paper airplane to make. Suggestions are attached to this worksheet. You can also try
to make your own!
2. Fly your paper airplanes.
3. Compare the flights of different types of airplanes and different types of papers.
Questions
While you attempt to make any of the airplanes given in this paper, try to think about these
questions and come up with some appropriate answer.
1. Why do some airplanes fly better than others?
2. How do the different papers effect the flight? Are different papers easier to work with?
3. Why do some papers work better than others?
4. Based on how well your planes flew, can you explain how planes fly?

Basic Paper Plane
Procedure:
1. Start with paper (A4) in portrait orientation as shown.



2. Fold in half lengthwise.



3. Fold the upper edges to the centerline


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4. Fold the triangle downwards along its lower edge



5. Fold the tip of the triangle up to the top to locate the
halfway point, then unfold.
6. While firmly holding the center in place, fold both upper
corners to the halfway point.

7. Fold the remaining tab up as far as it will go. It should slightly overlap
the previous fold.


8. Fold in half along the centerline, with the tab on the outside.


9. Fold one wing such that the outer edge is brought
collinear with the planes centerline. Also, fold the other
wing in the symmetrical fashion.
10. Unfold and Fly!!
Tips for Flying

1. Throw the plane by holding it by the tab.
2. Throw it directly forward and also give the wings a small upward angle of attack. (Not more
than 5 degree)
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3. If you see the airplane from right behind, your airplane will have any one of the orientations
given below. You have to choose any one orientation depending upon what your airplane does
while flying.

4. If the plane climbs straight up, stalls and crashes, curl the rear wingtips downwards slightly. If
the plane nosedives rapidly while flying, curl the wingtips upwards slightly.

High Glider
Procedure:

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Delta
A template has been given at the end of the procedure. You have to make the plane using the template.
The instructions are given for making the Delta airplane. This plane flies fast and straight. It is easy to
fold and a great all around flier.

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Procedure:

1. Orient the template so that the UP arrow is at the top of the page (as
shown). Then flip the paper over so that none of the fold lines are showing.



2. Fold the top left corner down toward you until fold line 1 becomes visible.
Crease along the dotted line and repeat with the top right corner.




3. Fold the left side over again and crease along fold line 2. Repeat with the right
side.




4. Fold the nose down and toward you along fold line 3.





5. Fold the right half of the plane over the left half along fold line 4 so that the
outside edges of the wings line up.


6. Fold the wings down along fold lines 5 and the winglets up along fold
lines 6. Add wing dihedral by tilting the wings up slightly away from the
fuselage. The wings will have a slight V shape when viewed from the
front. You are ready to fly!


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