How to Make the Super StratoCirrus Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and tiny, the Super StratoCirrus is an aerodynamic "drone cruiser" paper airplane designed to complement its predecessor and namesake, the StratoCirrus.

The Super StratoCirrus was developed by refining the design of the StratoCirrus with the intent of improving stability. To this end, I decided the best course of action would be to refit the design with the tail design of the Wren. This option allowed the airframe to be highly similar while also gaining more surface area for the stabilizers. In testing, this fitting proved well and the Super StratoCirrus proved itself an able design. It was approved for publication thereafter.

TAA USAF Designation: D431-1

Required:
1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper

Tape

Scissors

Ruler

Pencil

Stapler

First, begin by folding your your graph paper in half (excluding three boxes on the perforated side). Once the paper has been folded appropriately, make two marks--13 full boxes apart (allow for a further box back behind the airframe). Use a ruler to make a straight line with the length of 13 boxes directly up 1 row of boxes from the two marks you just made. Then make the stabilizers, spars and counterweight as shown.

After the fuselage is made, take another sheet of paper that is folded in half along the lines of boxes. Mark out the wing as shown (1 box of constant chord at the root; a leading edge sweep of 1 box of chord decaying every 6 boxes outward from the constant chord box; and a trailing edge sweep of 1 box of decay along the 7 boxes of wingspan). This will complete the wings.

Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

Cut out your fuselage and fold its counterweights into place. Cut along the solid lines. Once this is done, fold along the vertical dotted line then fold the airplane in half along the center crease once again. Fold along the dotted horizontal lines then tape where indicated.

After taping the noted places, cut where designated and then apply one staple from each side in the area of the counterweights.

Cut out your StratoCirrus' wings and lay them beneath the fuselage as shown. Apply tape where designated to secure them to the spars. Apply tape to the LERX joint where noted. This will complete the aircraft.

The Super StratoCirrus handles in a very conventional manner and tends to fly where it is pointed; any origami aviators with experience with the Cirrus or StratoCirrus should have little difficulty transitioning to the new type.

Launches should be done at neutral or negative attitude at slow to moderate speed. Test flights should be conducted to see what trim (if any) the aircraft needs. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, ailerons, elevators and trimmable ruddervators. Enjoy!