How To Make Paper Airplanes

There are many ways to make a paper airplane. The following is a simple method that can be used with any type of paper. Just make sure the paper isn’t too thick or folding will be difficult.

Required Tools and Materials

Colored pens
Paper
Colored pencils

Step 1

Decide what paper type and size to use. A rectangular paper is a good choice. As for the type, ordinary computer printing paper will do.

Step 2

Set the paper on a table. Position it so one of the long edges is near you.

Step 3

Fold it in half lengthwise. When you’re sure the edges are matched, press your fingers along the fold. When you make a paper airplane, the creases have to be sharp.

Step 4

Grab the upper left corner, the one at the top layer of the paper. Fold it in a diagonal manner. It should be oriented towards the crease you just made. When the edges match, crease by the fold. You will now have a small triangular flap.

Step 5

Flip the paper over. Grab the upper right corner (this is again at the top layer). Fold it diagonally towards you. The fold you make should allow the edge to line up with the crease. Make a crease on the newly created fold.

Step 6

To make a paper airplane, you have to put the right diagonal edge of the paper and fold it. The fold is straight down and towards the initial crease you made. Make a crease when the edges match.

Step 7

Flip the paper over. Fold the diagonal edge, again towards the initial crease. Create another sharp crease. You should have a paper shaped like a 90 degree triangle.

Step 8

To make the wings, turn the paper airplane over. Repeat steps 6 to 7.

Step 9

Hold the paper by the initial crease you made. Allow the wings to flare out.

Step 10

Mark a point 5 inches from the plane’s nose. Create a ½ inch at the bottom section. You need to make another rip half an inch behind it. Fold the tab up. When you make a paper airplane, the tab can be set in different locations.

Step 11

Hold the paper plane by the tab, and let it fly. Color it if desired.

Tips and Warnings

No matter what paper type or size you use, the sharp crease is crucial. Without a sharp crease, the plane won’t fly. There are specially made paper for airplanes sold today. They come in a variety of colors and designs.

Once you’ve mastered the basic steps, you can move on to more advanced paper plane designs. These include the shark, rapier and blimp. These have different variants, and there is no shortage of books or websites to learn from.

If the paper plane won’t fly, there’s a problem with the design. You can re-fold as per the instructions given earlier. By learning how to make a paper airplane using this method you’ll be able to proceed to other models.