How to Make the AeroDagger Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the AeroDagger is an easy-to-make dart paper airplane with good performance. Developed from the JetVulcan, the AeroDagger features a combination of simple folds and superb handling, making it suitable for all origami aviators.

The AeroDagger was developed shortly after the StratoDagger, in parallel with the JetVulcan, as the simpler complement to the latter. While I had found the former an excellent performer, some of its basic folds made it moderately complex. To ease this complexity, I decided to design another aircraft with folds that corresponded to one another to enable easier folding. Because the JetVulcan's predecessors featured this sort of layout (and the JetVulcan itself was beginning development), I drew heavily on fold designs of aircraft like the AstroVulcan. The AeroDagger's prototypes were constructed quickly owing to their simplicity and found to handle well in flight testing. This good performance led to a quick approval for construction shortly thereafter.

TAA USAF Designation: F336-2

Step 1: Materials

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Pencil

Ruler

Optional:

Scissors (for additional surfaces only)

Step 2: Length, Corner and Airfoil Folding

Take your paper and fold it along its length. Then pull the corners in and fold their creases into the center. Unfold the paper, then fold the edges into the creases you have made with the previous folds. After doing this, fold the corners of the paper down on each side, as shown. After this, fold the creases of these folds down over top of themselves. Continue to fold the paper along existing creases until your paper matches the last photograph to create the airfoils.

Step 3: Canard Folding

Fold the previous folds along the existing creases as shown, then pull the overhanging paper back away from the center crease. Repeat on the other side. Pull the tip of the nose back until its tips meet the apexes of the diamond; then tuck the edges of the paper underneath the other layers as shown after pulling the overhanging portion back forward.

Step 4: Canard, Wing and Winglet Folding; Taping

Fold your paper airplane in half along its center. Fold the canards down as shown, aligning its leading edge with the fuselage to maintain an angle of incidence of zero degrees. Measure 1 inch upwards along the trailing edge from the center crease and 1 inch inwards from the wingtip along the trailing edge. Once you have done this, fold the wings down at the 1 inch mark you made previously. After this has been completed, fold each winglet at the 1 inch point you made previously. After the winglets are made, apply tape where designated. This will complete your AeroDagger.

Step 5: Flight

The AeroDagger flies similar to other dart paper airplanes; anyone familiar with the Vulcan family, StratoDagger or UltraSabre should have little difficulty transitioning to this type. Launches should be done at neutral or positive attitude at moderate to high speed. Trim may be required; test flights should be conducted. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, elevators, ailerons, flaperons, elevons, rudders, air brakes, canard trim and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!