Walkalong Glider Made From Phone Book Paper

What's a walkalong glider and how does it work? Here's a video by the students of Slater Harrison at the Jersey Shores Middles School:

Here's another video of a completed paper tumblewing walkalong glider on a 30 second "cross country" soaring flight:

Build your own walkalong glider

The first step: Creating a tumblewing walkalong glider from telephone book paper (tissue paper (wrapping paper) is lighter and works better if you have any). This video summarizes steps 1-4:

Step 1: Cut Out a Piece of Paper

Cut out a piece of paper with approximately 1:5 or so (slender). Here I've just sheared the end off a 8 1/2" by 11 sheet of paper to make a ~21cm by 5cm strip.

Step 2: Fold Up the Ends of the Strip of Paper

Fold up one end, then the other end. Make sure the folds are symetric and at right angles. Here each fold occurs 2 cm from each end (approximately %10 of the length of the strip).

Step 3: Make 45 Degree Folds on Leading and Trailing Edges

make a fold in the center of the trailing edge (trailing edge goes up). It is important that the fold not disturb the right angle fold you have just created at the ends of the strip in step 2. Turn the strip of paper upside down and fold the trailing edge, taking care the fold again does not disturb the right angle folds at the ends of the strip. You may need to reform the right angle folds at the ends of the strip which might have been disturbed by folding the leading edge with the strip upside down.

Step 4: Launching the Tumblewing

Hold the folded strip at the center of the trailing edge (the trailing edge has the fold which goes up) with the wing tips pointing up. Let the glider go. It should tumble slowly down and forward. If it "falls off" and angles to one side or the other, the wingtip folds may not be symetric and will need adjustment. Make sure you fly the tumblewing indoors and in a location with as little drafts as possible.

Stay tuned for the next installment instructable on how to sustaing and control your tumblewing with a suitably positioned paddle.