How to Make the World's Best Paper Airplane
Have you ever made a paper airplane only to be disappointed when it took flight? All that intricate folding resulting in a swift and catastrophic nose diving airplane - it’s usually a sad state of affairs.
Well, your days of dud paper airplanes are over! Master paper airplane designer John M. Collins holds the record for constructing the world’s farthest flying (paper) plane. At 226 feet and 10 inches, his model broke the world record for distance, beating the reigning champion Stephen Kreiger who set the record at 207 feet and 4 inches.
You’ll be happy to learn that we’ve managed to recreate it and his techniques result in something that’s pretty amazing.
Buckle up, it’s time for take-off!
Materials:
Sheet of A4 paper
Clear tape
Bag or binder clip
Tools:
Scissor
Ruler
Instructions:
1. Start with a piece of A4 paper and remove 19mm from the long side, top to bottom.
2. Fold the right corner diagonally across the paper and make the crease super sharp with the edge of a ruler. Unfold.
3. Fold the left corner diagonally across to the opposite side and again make the crease super sharp. Unfold.
4. Fold in the right side against the existing diagonal crease, leaving a millimeter of space between the edge and the crease and make the newly formed crease super sharp. Unfold.
5. Repeat on the other side, folding in the left side. Unfold.
6. Fold both sides in to meet in the middle and sharpen creases.
7. Fold the nose of the airplane towards you and down, making the fold happen at the exact point where the cross of the sides is. Sharpen the crease.
8. Fold the right side in diagonally. Unfold.
9. Repeat with the left side. Unfold.
10. Fold the entire plane in half. You want to fold away from the existing folds, not inward. Make sure you have exact alignment everywhere, then make your crease sharp.
11. Take a moment to go over all creases and sharpen them again. We cannot stress this enough.
12. Starting with the nose of the plane pointed to the left, fold the top raw edge over from the top of the nose across and down so the raw edge just meets the corner. Don’t crease the edge yet.
13. Flip the plane and do the same on the other side. Make sure the wings match up exactly.
14. Use a clip at the foot of the plane to hold it together and check all your alignment.
15. Take some very thin strips of tape and place one across the bottom of the foot of the plane behind the clip in a “U” shape, one in front of the clip, one across the nose and two across the top of the plane connecting the wings.
It’s not for the impatient (there are quite a few steps involved) but the time spent is well worth it - this plane will go further than you can imagine. The key is in precise alignment and razor sharp edges. Take the time to go over every crease with the edge of your nail or a ruler - even when you think it’s sharp enough, give it one more pass for good measure.
If you’re a paper airplane lover and want to learn even more, check out Collins’ book “The New World Champion Paper Airplane Book” or check out his YouTube Channel at ThePaperAirplaneGuy, or head on over to his website, ThePaperAirplaneGuy.com.
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