Make a Super PaperJet and Fly Over a 5-story Building

The Super PaperJet is a paper airplane that can fly over a 5-story building. It's launched with a rubber band.

The construction is really simple, you just need:

- A sheet of paper (letter or A4 size)

- A knife and cutting board (or scissors)

- A rubber band

Let's get started!

Step 1: Cut the Sheet of Paper in Two

Start by folding the sheet of paper in half width-wise, and cut it in two pieces. We just need one of them.

Step 2: Folding No. 1

Open the paper back up and fold the top two corners inward. Keeping a little gap where they meet along the crease will help the folding later and keep the paper layers flat.

Step 3: Folding No. 2

Fold both sides so the corners meet again in the center line.

Step 4: Folding No. 3

Repeat the folding of both sides to the center line. This starts looking like a very fast jet!

Step 5: The Wings

To shape the wings keep the plane folded along the crease, and fold along a line parallel to the bottom edge of the plane.

Step 6: Anchor for the Rubber Band

To cut the anchor where the rubber band will hook into, I'd recommend using a knife. You can use scissors too, you just need to be careful so the to cuts meet in one sharp point, otherwise the rubber band may get stuck in it.

Step 7: Selecting the Rubber Band

Choosing the right rubber is key to get your Super PaperJet fly very far. For maximum reach, we want the rubber band to be long, with good stretch and strength. Try stretching the rubber band - if it returns to the same length that's good, if it becomes longer after the stretch that's not good.

You can also use a longer rubber band, e.g. from a file folder. That's what I was using at school and I was close to reach the length of a soccer field!