Introduction: How to Make the Turbo OmniScimitar Paper Airplane
Turbo Omniwings can be converted to the Turbo OmniScimitar standard with a few simple modifications.For those making such conversions, proceed to the fourth paragraph here.
Educators could easily use this versatile paper airplane to demonstrate:
- Glide ratio
- Hangtime versus other aircraft
- Weight and balance
- Flight dynamics
Step 1: Materials
Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Step 2: Width, Fourth and Corner Folding
Fold your paper in half along its width. Once you've done this, fold the edges of the paper back in to the crease. Then fold the corners of the paper into the crease of the outer fourths as shown. Then fold the diagonal edges back, and the folds on each side should now touch the center crease. Once you have done this, undo the last folds and fold their edges inwards as shown. Then restore the leading edge folds to cover these last folds.
Step 3: Leading and Trailing Edge Preparation; Airfoil Taping
Fold the tip of the nose down to the vertex of the previous leading edge folds. Then pull the leading edge back so that what was the blunt tip of the nose touches the center crease and repeat on the other side. Then fold the paper in half so that these folds are on the papers outside.
Measure 2.5 inches in from the trailing edge along the center crease, make a mark and then measure 2.5 inches outwards from the center crease along the trailing edge and make a mark. Then connect the two marks. Cut along this diagonal line.
After you have finished measuring and cutting what will be the counterweight, begin measuring the vertical fins. Find the point 0.75 inches ahead of the trailing edge along the wingtip and make a mark. From the wingtip measure 1 inch in and make a mark. Then from this mark, measure 1 inch inward (perpendicular to the trailing edge) toward the leading edge and make a mark. Then connect this mark to the one you just made on the wingtip. Then cut along this line.
From the 2.5 inch mark along the center of the airframe, connect a line to the trailing edge of the wing at the fins' rear root edge. Then cut the portion aft of this line off. You may then discard the associated pieces of paper.
Apply tape to the trailing edges of the airfoils to secure them. Once this is complete, the airframe should appear as it does in the last photograph.
Step 4: Counterweight Folding
Take the piece of paper you trimmed earlier and unfold it. Fold the corners inwards on each side. Then pull them backwards and make a crease. Then pull the bottom layer backwards as shown. You should now have a smaller, denser triangle. Flip the airframe inverted and tape the counterweight to the bottom of the airframe at the leading edge. This will complete your Turbo OmniScimitar.
Step 5: Flight
The Turbo OmniScimitar's performance is comparable in some ways to the Turbo Omniwing and in others to the UltraDelta. Launch should be at moderate to high speed at a negative or neutral attitude, with the airplane being held by 3 fingers (1 over the wing, 2 beneath the wing). This type of launch will give flights the longest range and/or best speed. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, rudders, spoilers, spoilerons, elevators, ailerons, elevons, and air brakes. Enjoy!
