Introduction: How to Make the Skynaut Paper Airplane

About: Paper airplane maker: 400+ designs so far and more in development!

A long range, fast, compact and simple paper airplane the Skynaut can work as a trainer, aerial demonstrator or aerobatic aircraft. This plane has a very small wingspan of 9 cm.


I designed the Skynaut as a low difficulty trainer version of the highly-successful Scout paper airplane. In this design, I eliminated the parasol wing arrangement to reduce drag and increase potential speed.



TAA USAF Designation: D133-1

Step 1: Materials

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

Step 2: Fold and Mark Out Your Paper

Begin construction of your Skynaut by folding the unperforated side up all but 3 rows of boxes up. Then draw your airplane's parts as shown.

Cut lines are the solid perimeter markings. Dotted lines indicate fold sites.

Step 3: Cut the Aircraft Out

When your Skynaut has been cut out properly, its fuselage and wings should appear like this.  

Step 4: Fold and Tape Your Fuselage; Prepare the Wing

Begin this step by folding your Skynaut fuselage along the dotted lines seen earlier.




Grab your wing and fold it in half length wise. Then mark the crease with your pencil.

Step 5: Tape the Wings to the Spars

Apply tape to your airplane's spars before you apply the wing. When mounting the wing, align the flat pencil line you made on it center crease with the fuselage. Then Push the tape down with your finger. Once everything is taped, cut off all overhang with scissors and discard.

Step 6: Flight

The Skynaut is just like the Scout--that is, an easy flyer. To get long range flights, pitch the nose slightly down at launch and throw at moderate speed.

Enjoy.