Mini Card Stock Glider Apex Drone Design

Very fun for flying indoors, or outdoors when the breeze is mild.

To make this, you'll print or photocopy onto card stock, cut out three shapes, make folds, and assemble it. You'll need a piece of clear adhesive tape, too.

Paper products have varying fibers and composition. If possible, compare samples of heavy card stock to see which is most rigid.

Supplies

-Sheet of heavy (100 lb.) card stock, 8 1/2 " x 11"

-Vinyl-coated paper clip (standard size, no. 1)

-Clear adhesive tape

-Scissors

-Utility knife

-Metal ruler

Step 1: Download and Print

If you're printing onto regular 8.5" x 11" paper, you will need to then photocopy the document on card stock.

If you do not have card stock for printing, use a glue stick to laminate the printed paper with another sheet of paper.

Step 2: Cut Out the Pieces

Scissors will be your main tool. The knife and ruler are handy for tight corners. Once the three main pieces are cut out, carefully cut the narrow slits, making them about 1mm wide.

Step 3: Crease the Dotted Lines

The edge of a ruler is handy for this. Use one hand to clamp the piece to the ruler, and the other hand to gently work the free portion of the piece, and define the angle.

Whereas most of the dotted line are on the inside of their angles, the two lines that define the rudders/elevators of the tale are creased such that the dotted line is on the outside.

Step 4: Assemble the Nose

This step might be the most challenging. The tabs at the front must be made to interlock. Start with front of the nose first and then proceed to the windscreen. If struggling greatly, try widening the slit a little, or trimming down the sections that tuck down and behind the others.

Step 5: Add a Bit of Undercamber / Flaps

Using the rounded edge of a book, table, or cribbage board, apply gentle pressure to the leading and trailing edges of the main wing. In other words, the leading and trailing edges need to curl down slightly. This curl should be more pronounced at the trailing and on either side of the center line.

Step 6: Finish the Nose and Tail

Slide the vinyl-coated paper clip into place. Next, use a small piece of tape to join the two sides of the tail boom.

Step 7: Flights and Adjustments

Conduct some test flights indoors. Throw the plane straight and level, using just a little force. Use the ruddervators to influence the pitch. Use the whole tail to influence yaw by pinching the tape and bending the tail ever so slightly to the left or right (like 1/64" or 1/32").

This is a lightweight airplane. If flying outdoors, avoid breezy conditions, as well as trees and roofs. Good luck!

CAUTION! A wingtip to the eye could cause serious injury. Be careful when throwing. If other people are around, allow a safe distance.