How to Make the Super Pancake Paper Airplane

Long range, nimble and equipped with retractable landing gear, the Super Pancake may not have the most intimidating nickname, but it is a very capable aircraft nonetheless. It is a close relative of the popular Pancake paper airplane.



TAA USAF Designation: A92-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Scissors

Optional:
Pencil

Step 2: Length Folding

Begin by folding your paper in half along its length.

Step 3: X Folding and Cover Fold

Fold the paper's top to the sides. Then fold it over itself. Pull the paper down over itself so it is two separate layers.

Step 4: Counterweight and Landing Gear Folding

Fold the front down to the bottom of the cover fold. Proceed to then pull the tips into the center as shown.

Step 5: Fold the Wings

From about an inch above the center crease at the bottom of the fuselage, fold the wings down.

Step 6: Cut and Fold the Fins

To make your Super Pancake's vertical stabilizers, begin your cuts at a point 1 inch forward of the trailing edge. Then cut an inch into the wing at about a 60 degree angle swept towards the leading edge. Once cut, fold the two fins up. Make sure they are parallel to the fuselage (this can be done by aligning the fins' trailing edges with those of the wings).

Step 7: Taping

Taping the Super Pancake is just as easy as the original. Tape the front and back of the fuselage together. Then tape the landing gear to the bottom of the airfoil.

Step 8: Flight

The Super Pancake mirrors its ancestor as far as it handles too. Slow gear up and down flights are very easy to manage. The airplane is also capable of faster-paced flights too. For the slowest possible flights, this aircraft has provisions for slats and flaps. Enjoy!