Paper Airplane

This is a basic step by step guide for those in need of some in class or after homework entertainment

First obtain a single sheet of paper with dimensions 8.5" x 11" typically called printer paper. It is not recommended to use binder paper as it is often too thin and the holes offset balance.

Identify the long and short sides, we want the 11" size to be the width, and the 8.5" size to be the height. Then fold the bottom edge to the top making sure to align the two sides over each other.

Have one hand remain on the folded edges then crease the bottom edge, essentially folding the 8.5" side in half (check with image above and below for accuracy)

Unfold the paper so that you can see the creases folded edge is pointing downward.

Pick an edge, for this instruction we used the right side instead of the left.

After picking an edge grab onto either one of your sides corners and fold it in so that it aligns with the middle crease.

Repeat this step for the other side trying to make both folds as identical as possible.

Fold the now “pointed edge” downward so that the point aligns with the middle crease line and is far enough that both folds from the previous step are folded over completely.

Fold over a corner from the flat edge you have just created just so its point meets the middle crease about a centimeter to half an inch above the previous folds point.

Do the same for the other side once again trying to keep both edges as symmetrical as possible. Use Second picture to check your work.

Step 6: Fold up the point formed in step 4 over the folds on top of it from step 5.(this should be done so that it covers the folds from step 5)

Fold the plane backwards along the original middle line. (The fold from step 6 should be evenly split in half along both sides and should be on the outside of the fold).

Fold down the top edge of one side of the paper so that it’s edge aligns with the original middle line.

Turn the paper over and repeat the step so that both folds match. (You can check this by seeing that both of the new folds on both sides should align on the top and bottom)

Pinch the original middle fold and bend the folds from step 8 so that they are perpendicular (should form a “T” shape with the ground) with the original middle fold poking straight upward.

Your paper airplane is complete! Feel free to give it a toss to test the symmetry of your folding. If it’s off you can try refolding the “wings” from step 8 to try to make them more even.