Super Slow Paper Glider

 by WattSekunde
Contest Winner

Step 1: What do you need?

P3012505.JPG
Only one sheet of paper!

I build it with a A4, 100g/m2 paper. (The red LED is only for size comparison.)

But any other size would also work! From small to huge!
WattSekunde (author) says: Oct 4, 2011. 12:48 AM
Thanks for all the nice comments! I've learned a lot from you, too.
ihatethaticantseethepics says: Jan 1, 2011. 12:23 PM
it is one that works all the time. Great instructions
signposts says: Jun 27, 2010. 8:43 PM
I've seen this before and forgot how to make it. Thanks for the instructions.
IMG_0173.JPG
Mikedood says: Jun 26, 2009. 5:15 PM
There is a heavy- duty (ish) toy exactly this- it is called the x-zylo. It is a little pricey, (9 bucks) but you can throw it fast, and it can go over 200 yards!

http://www.xzylo.com/
valhallas_end in reply to MikedoodNov 15, 2009. 6:20 PM
It's funny - I'd been really skeptical of the x-zylo because the commercials looked....fake.  I finally found a store nice enough to let me try one this summer, and surprisingly it worked as advertised.  It's tricky to throw, and a devil to catch (let's stick sharp plastic edges on a rotating plane and have someone stick their hand in the way!), but nifty.
I didn't buy it though - tried building my own from light plastic, which worked somewhat well (not 200 ft well)....interesting project to say the least.
Mikedood in reply to valhallas_endDec 1, 2009. 9:07 PM
 Sounds cool! If you still have it, I'd like to see some pictures!  ...How far did it fly?
valhallas_end in reply to MikedoodDec 2, 2009. 5:47 PM
We never really measured, but I'd guess 50 to 70 feet max?  Granted, I never quite figured the optimum angle to throw, and the plastic was a little...lumpy after forming.  Unfortunately, like most of my projects, the plastic was recycled for a model I'd been working on, but if I ever get some free time, I might try to build a new one and post an Instructable.  It looked a bit like the commercial version, but the bumped section in the back was sharper and the ring was longer....and had some logo from the scrap I'd used.
thedafter says: Jun 18, 2009. 8:44 PM
it works
Fenris The bbw says: Mar 10, 2009. 10:53 PM
They fly better with two tails. Also, I like to throw them faster than in the video, and with a spin, like you would throw a football. It gives them a very erratic flight pattern.
Weston607 says: Feb 8, 2009. 3:46 PM
Pretty Cool Little Gizmo! I give it a 6.5 out of 10!
InvincibleCory says: Sep 12, 2008. 1:40 AM
WOOHOO!!!
zimmemic25 says: May 9, 2008. 10:53 AM
its cool! i saw something like this before, but that didnt have ends connected. just a "round" piece of paper.
RiddleOfSphinx in reply to zimmemic25May 11, 2008. 1:59 AM
Yeah, it might have been the flying paper gyro-scope. There's an instructable on how to make it :)
zimmemic25 in reply to RiddleOfSphinxAug 12, 2008. 8:20 AM
yes
alanrb says: Mar 13, 2008. 3:18 PM
I have taped 5 of these together side by side, and they still retain nice flying ability. I am not sure what the limit would be. There is now sag, since the lift is the same on each section.
SpecieS~ in reply to alanrbMay 22, 2008. 1:06 PM
I've taped 9 of them together. A very big one and 8 smaller ones around it. It flies better than one alone or two side by side. =)
dombeef in reply to SpecieS~Jul 8, 2008. 12:46 PM
can you get a pic of it?
SpecieS~ in reply to dombeefJul 14, 2008. 4:41 AM
of course I can :-) the second pic is my newest construction - 15 planes side by side XD
paperplane1.jpgpaperplane2.jpg
dombeef in reply to SpecieS~Jul 14, 2008. 4:57 AM
WHOA!! that is very cool.but how good do they fly
SpecieS~ in reply to dombeefJul 14, 2008. 7:15 AM
The first one (9 planes together) flies really good. The second one (15 planes together) flew, but not very good, so I taped some skewer on the bottom to make it more stable. Now it flies really good, too. =D
paperplane3.jpg
dombeef in reply to SpecieS~Jul 20, 2008. 7:14 AM
WOW! Thats amazing!
WattSekunde (author) in reply to alanrbMar 14, 2008. 2:59 AM
Wow! Great. Could you place a picture here? Since yesterday I had a abdominal influenza ;-( I'll go back to bed and hope that I can try my own test on Sunday 16th.
chewit says: May 17, 2008. 5:45 PM
I learn`t how to make one of these at a wedding we were all sat round eating and the bloke next to me said watch this and tossed it at the bride I was amazed by this and got him to show me how it was made, which is the same here but we made ours with tissue which I found works better and more impressive (have you ever made tissue fly ???)
WattSekunde (author) in reply to chewitMay 18, 2008. 1:41 AM
Thank you for the nice story! I have to try it with a tissue. Now! ;-)
fatcattr856 says: Mar 8, 2008. 5:36 PM
lots of fun I started expirementing and found that you can make a more maneuverable model if you tape two side by side. It turns when one tail is up and the other is down.
WattSekunde (author) in reply to fatcattr856Mar 12, 2008. 4:54 PM
Great Idea. Thank you. You give me the idea to tape five or ten together and see how it works. I'll try...
Charles IV says: Mar 11, 2008. 2:09 PM
It's a flying Miter (that's a pope hat)
one-lightbulb says: Mar 3, 2008. 11:41 AM
this is very cool. I have seen this in an expensive commodity version.
WattSekunde (author) in reply to one-lightbulbMar 5, 2008. 4:12 AM
Thanks! Yes, some people want to make money from nothing. ;-)
lil jon168 says: Mar 1, 2008. 6:37 PM
if you pinch the part were it looks like two mountians and through it works twice as good
WattSekunde (author) in reply to lil jon168Mar 2, 2008. 11:37 PM
Yes! Thank you. Really, the glide seems more stable. And now I can adjust the flying direction too!
WattSekunde (author) says: Mar 1, 2008. 3:08 PM
Thanks! I have learned this from other students on a math course at the university. It was really impressive to see them glide through the huge auditorium. ;-) Until now I don't know the name "flying pope hat" before. It fits nice. The Video is now finished and added!
sbennettinst says: Mar 1, 2008. 10:52 AM
Thanks that was great!
GorillazMiko says: Mar 1, 2008. 10:22 AM
Pretty cool! You have to add in a 30 second or less video though to show it in flight. Great job anyways!
keefurxxcore says: Mar 1, 2008. 9:26 AM
I learned about this in computer class in 3rd grade. I wanted to remake it but I forgot. Thanks!
bumpus says: Mar 1, 2008. 9:13 AM
this has been made before "flying pope hat"
joejoerowley says: Mar 1, 2008. 8:41 AM
Cool! I think you have to add a video though.
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