Introduction: How to Make the SkyOmniwing Paper Airplane
Educators can easily use this easy-to-make paper airplane to demonstrate:
- Glide ratio
- Hangtime versus other aircraft
- Weight and balance
- Flight dynamics
TAA USAF Designation: F3-1B2
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.
Fold the wingtips to the inboard edges of the airfoils as shown.
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 SkyOmniwing.
Step 5: Flight
The SkyOmniwing's performance is comparable in some ways to the OmniScimitar, Turbo Omniwing and UltraDelta. Like those airplanes, 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!
