Introduction: Flippin' Flyer

By iTeach Maker Bus
About: The KSU Maker Bus Project is the result of our idea that students must use their imagination and intelligence to design something and then they must have the opportunity to fulfill those designs using tools a…

There are two forces involved when a flippin’ flyer is in flight - weight and drag. The weight of the paperclip pulls it to the ground and pushes air up onto the wings creating drag as it falls to the ground. The drag of the wings is what slows down our flippin' flyer as it is being pulled to the ground by gravity.

Supplies

  • Copy paper
  • Scissors
  • Paper clip
  • A ruler

Step 1: Measure

Start with a long rectangular piece of paper about 2" inches by 8" inches.

Step 2: Folds and Cuts

Measure the wings, body and tail as shown. Dotted lines will be folded. Solid lines will be cut.

Step 3: Label

Label the sections of your flippin' flyer as shown.

Step 4: Cut

Cut the solid lines between A & B and C & D next to the body.

Step 5: Fold

  • Fold D down and C up.
  • Fold A to the right and B behind.
  • Fold the tail for your paperclip.

Step 6: Weight

Add your paperclip.

Step 7: Test!