How to Make the Meteor Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and tiny, the Meteor is a small drone-fighter paper airplane just about anyone can make and fly. Developed as a simpler, more aerodynamic complement to the older Mite and StratoGnat paper airplanes, the Meteor is a nimble little paper airplane that requires very little.

The design of the Meteor began when I took interest in incorporating close-coupled canards into my next drone-fighter prototype after researching their application on real fighter aircraft, such as the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Aerodynamically, the canards were projected to (and did) enhance the Meteor's stability and nimbleness when tested. Combined with its small size, this increased simplicity in its flight characteristics shaped the Meteor to be an excellent airplane for origami aviators of all levels of experience. Flight testing showed performance was good, and the prototype was designated "ready for publication" shortly thereafter. Development of more advanced aircraft based upon the Meteor is expected.

TAA USAF Designation: D313-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper
Tape
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil

Step 2: Begin Construction

Fold your paper in half so that half a box is at the crease line. Make two marks 9 boxes from one another and mark out the fuselage as shown. The counterweight should be made as a 2 by 3 rectangle, with canards and the vertical stabilizer behind it.. Measure 1 box forward along the half box line, 4 boxes forward.

After the fuselage is made, take another sheet of paper that is folded in half along the lines of boxes. Mark out the wing as shown (1 boxes in length by 7 boxes in width, and a swept portion in front of this box of 1 box eliminated every box toward the front of the fuselage).

Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

Step 3: Making the Fuselage

Cut out your fuselage and fold its counterweights and canards into place. Once this is done, fold along the vertical dotted line and cut along the solid horizontal line. Once the cut has been made, undo the fold. At this point, cut the extra vertical fin off and tape where designated.

Step 4: Applying the Wings; Taping

Cut out the wings, and then fold down the wingtips as shown. Pull the wing through the slit in the fuselage, then apply tape. Flatten the wings and canards to where they have no anhedral deflection. This will complete your Meteor.

Step 5: Flight

The Meteor is rather forgiving, and can be operated by even those with little experience with drone paper airplanes. Launches should be at neutral or positive attitudes at medium to high speed. Launches can be done at a positive attitude, but launch speed should be increased (range may be reduced). Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, elevators, ailerons, spoilers, spoilerons, air brakes and a trimmable rudder. Enjoy!