How to Make the Super Shark Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and remarkably simple, the Super Shark is a development of lieuwe's paper airplane design, which I've myself called the "Shark" for its distinctive fuselage fin.

I began to design the Super Shark after receiving many requests for "simpler designs with fairly high performance". To answer these requests, I realized it was again time to design a "lightweight" fighter, a simple paper airplane with good speed and range characteristics. I looked over previous designs, and once again found a great performer that had served well the previous Twin Shark. Lieuwe's design was a great platform for development on that airplane, and it was again for this airplane. I believe this plane provides the best of both worlds: very simple construction, and a reliable, able airplane.

TAA USAF Designation: F241-1

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Pencil
Ruler
Optional:
Scissors (advanced models only)

Step 2: Length Folding and Cover Fold Preparation

First, begin by folding your paper in half lengthwise. Then pull one corner of the paper downwards to the long edge of the other side. Then repeat this reversed, with the other corner.

Step 3: Cover Folding

Tuck the paper in under itself. The pictures represent what the paper should appear like. Then pull the cover fold's corners forward to the front.

Step 4: Wing and Winglet Folding

Fold your airplane up in half, then measure 0.75 inches up above the center line of the fuselage. Then fold the wing down along this mark. Make sure the wing's angle of incidence was 0 degrees by aligning the trailing edge of the wing with that of the fuselage. Then make marks on the wing 0.75 inches in from the wingtips on each side. Then fold the winglets down along the marks while keeping them parallel to the fuselage by aligning their trailing edges with that of the wing.

Step 5: Vertical Fin Folding

Fold your airplane back up so that the wings and winglets are creased as they were in construction. Now fold the center fin folds down along the wing root on each side.

Step 6: Taping

Tape your Super Shark at its front, back and across its wing root near the back. Once taped, adjust your central vertical fins so they are aligned pointing 45 degrees above the wing on each side.

Step 7: Flight

Like other darts with low wing loading, the Super Shark is a paper airplane which can fly at various speeds. For long range, fast flights give your aircraft a moderate throw. For medium range, cruising flights, a fairly gentle toss is adequate. Additional surfaces applicable include slats, spoilers, spoilerons, elevators, ailerons, elevons, rudders, and ruddervators. A Super Shark can be converted into a Twin Shark as well. Enjoy!