How to Make the Spartan Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the Spartan is an easy to make paper airplane that requires only one sheet of paper to be made, nothing else. The aircraft is meant for those who wish to make a capable aircraft without having to make measurements or apply tape.

The Spartan itself was developed from the Trojan paper airplane (which was developed by TriKdanG from my HyperSparrow prototype). With substantial modifications, the Spartan emerged from its predecessor with smaller wings and a more blunt and secured nose to decrease its wear and no need for measurements. Testing showed the Spartan to be more promising than the aircraft being developed alongside, the "Orbit" and so the Spartan was selected for publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F391-1

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Optional:

Pencil (additional applicable surfaces only)

Tape (modifications only)

Ruler (additional applicable surfaces only)

Scissors (additional applicable surfaces only)

Start making your Spartan by folding it in half along its width. Then on one of the halves, fold the corner down to the half fold. Then on the same side, fold the other corner down to the half fold. Fold the aircraft in half again as shown. Pull the paper down along the creases and then at the cross. Pull the edge of the paper forward to the crease that has resulted from the previous folds. Reverse the paper along the corner folds as shown then flatten the triangle sitting near the back out. Fold the corner folds into their own creases as shown.

Fold the leading edge of the paper into the center crease as shown, crease and unfold. Fold the outer edges into the creases then restore the first set of folds. Fold the uncovered triangle at the back forward until you cannot pull it forward any further. After doing this, tuck the airfoils into the inner folds of the triangle.

Find the forward edge of the internal wing structure folds in the paper and pull the tip of the nose back to this point as shown. Make a crease when you have done this and unfold the nose and then layout the paper flat. Reverse the creases so that they allow this new diamond section to be pulled in between the two sides of the paper when they are folded. After doing this, pull the new points of the nose backward on each side as pictured.

Fold the wings down so the nose fold limits the paper at the front and the wing root intersects with the top of the security fold. Repeat on the other side.

With the airplane's wings folded, you will now make its winglets. To do so, fold the wingtips up so the trailing edge of the airfoil folds on the undersides of the wing cross the fuselage crease as shown. Before creasing, make sure that the winglets will be parallel with the fuselage. Once you have confirmed this, make the winglets.

To make the tail, fold the wings and winglets up together. Fold the rear tip of the fuselage upward so that the edges of its crease reach the rear edges of the security fold and the trailing edge of the paper at the wing root folds. Reverse the creases and pull the tail into the fuselage as shown. This will complete your Spartan.

The Spartan is made to be very simple and handles with ease for the same reason. Launches should be done at neutral or positive attitudes at moderate to high speeds. Test flights should be conducted to determine what trimming (if any) needs to be done. Additional applicable surfaces include elevators, ailerons and flaps. Enjoy!