Make a Super PaperJet and Fly Over a 5-story Building

The Super PaperJet is a paper airplane that can fly over a 5-story building. It's launched with a rubber band.

The construction is really simple, you just need:

- A sheet of paper (letter or A4 size)

- A knife and cutting board (or scissors)

- A rubber band

Let's get started!

Step 1: Cut the Sheet of Paper in Two

Start by folding the sheet of paper in half width-wise, and cut it in two pieces. We just need one of them.

Step 2: Folding No. 1

Open the paper back up and fold the top two corners inward. Keeping a little gap where they meet along the crease will help the folding later and keep the paper layers flat.

Step 3: Folding No. 2

Fold both sides so the corners meet again in the center line.

Step 4: Folding No. 3

Repeat the folding of both sides to the center line. This starts looking like a very fast jet!

Step 5: The Wings

To shape the wings keep the plane folded along the crease, and fold along a line parallel to the bottom edge of the plane.

Step 6: Anchor for the Rubber Band

To cut the anchor where the rubber band will hook into, I'd recommend using a knife. You can use scissors too, you just need to be careful so the to cuts meet in one sharp point, otherwise the rubber band may get stuck in it.

Step 7: Selecting the Rubber Band

Choosing the right rubber is key to get your Super PaperJet fly very far. For maximum reach, we want the rubber band to be long, with good stretch and strength. Try stretching the rubber band - if it returns to the same length that's good, if it becomes longer after the stretch that's not good.

You can also use a longer rubber band, e.g. from a file folder. That's what I was using at school and I was close to reach the length of a soccer field!

Step 8: How to Grab the Rubber Band

You can experiment with this, but that's my choice on using the rubber band:

- Create a triangle with the pinkie, the index finger and the thumb.

- Stretch the rubber band from the pinkie.

- Pass the rubber band around the index finger and the thumb.

This way there is not rubber on the way of the plane, and all the length and strength of the rubber band is on the plane side.

Step 9: Time to Fly!

Find an open space for the test launch so you get a sense of how fast and far this plane can go - a park, a baseball field, etc.

If you think you've got a Super PaperJet that can beat the record, make a video and post it to the comments!

Comments

[AnmaS1]

Nice fingers!!
CAN'T WAIT TO GO HOME AND FLY THIS THING AROUND THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD!!

[Boolean Operator]

Great Instrucable, just made this with my 7 yr old son. He loves it, too. We have to make more. First one is already on the roof. Ooops.

[alan.swaffer]

This has brought back memories of a slim and elegant hardback book I picked up at a car boot sale. Entitled "Principles of Aeronautics" it contained a selection of paper aeroplane patterns!

[rpotts2]

Ooooo, I may have read that. Did it feature the Klein-Fogelman Wing? THAT is an awesome design.

[alan.swaffer]

Can't give you a definitive answer to that as the book is packed away as we are moving house soon. I note that you use the word "read" so I doubt it is the same one. Mine has no words in it at all, just the patterns.

[rpotts2]

Nicely done! I thought I was the only person that made those little speeders...

[jimbayes]

People can complain about the video, but they'll stop complaining once they've made this super sweet paperjet. You get two jets from one sheet of paper and it really does fly high and far. I'll be sharing this with my nieces & nephews.

[pete.hohensee]

A better video would be appreciated.

[TeresaM7]

You can't follow it, either? I even tried going forward a few frames at a time. As soon as it leaves his hands, it's gone :(

[steven.parker.357]

Great instructable. Going to do this next time im at work and business is slow.

[urisoto613]

Super flight, excellent!!!

[Satin pun intentended]

Do they make people-strength rubber bands?

I was thinking of my Mother-in-Law, as she frequently forgets to bring her broom when visiting.

[bgj]

I didn't know my sister-in-law was married!

[jchesnut1973]

Wow, this is really well done. Your illustrations are clear and simple. I forwarded this to all my students who try to build paper airplanes in class.

[Waste Of Space]

If you weight the front of the plane with a paper clip it will go even further.

[ТвинкБ]

"НУ ТУПЫЫЕЕЕ" :) А ведь этим мы ещё в школе во ворпмена СССР страдали(только резинка была кусок рыболовного жгута).

[AnnaM131]

realy cool, thanks!

[jasemhi13]

Did this with my 3 year old son, he loved it. The rubber band idea was new, so this added a layer to the project of making paper planes that we both enjoyed. Thanks for putting together.

[abusakthi]

That was really cool...i just return into my childhood days

[MarshallHollingsworth]

Mine didn't turn out as nice as yours but still worked pretty well.