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Introduction
In honour of National Aviation Day on August 19th, we’re testing and designing aeroplanes of the paper variety. Paper aeroplanes are fun to make and provide a great way to test your engineering, physics, and creative skills.
The world record for distance flown by a paper aeroplane is an astounding 322 feet set by Wang Chenghao in 2026. Utilising aerodynamic principles, his team created a secret design that holds two world records, one for the farthest flight, and another for longest airtime.
In designing our own paper aeroplanes, we’ll need to consider the same principles Wang and his team did, and measure how far it flies. Some important aeronautical considerations are lift, drag, and thrust.
Lift is the upward force that is created by the design of your plane’s wings. Certain parts of your wings can affect its lift, including surface area and shape, as well as the angle of attack. Another consideration is thrust versus drag. Thrust is the force applied by your throw to initiate the action of movement, and drag is the amount of surface area of the plane that cuts or resists your plane’s motion through the air.
The nose design of your plane is a critical consideration. There are other elements to consider when designing your plane with stability in mind. Little bendy tabs at the back end of the wings act as elevators that push the tail down and force the nose of your plane upward to prevent diving. Above all, the most important consideration is fun. Enjoy the process of creating, testing, measuring, and then improving your plane design.
What You Will Need:
- Paper – Find a standard piece of A4 paper, for extra flair or creativity this can be coloured or designed to your liking.
- Ruler – Use a ruler if you want to be like an aeronautical engineer to create a craft that meets exact design standards like the airline industry requires.
- Art Supplies – Add your artistic touches to your aircraft. This will help set it apart and could even provide dazzling imagery as it flies. Some of the world’s greatest airlines are famous for their aircraft designs.
- Tape - This is an optional step to tape together the folds of your plane design to create greater structural integrity. You can try flying your plane without taping, and then see if taping the folds or seams makes a difference in how it flies.
- Tape Measure – This is the competitive step where you get to see how far your plane flies. You can measure inside and then head outside and see if your craft flies further in the open skies, or if wind disturbances change your flight path.
Let's begin!
There are many different ways to design your paper aeroplane. You can model your aeroplane after commercial airliners, or after your favourite bird - or even a helicopter. The choices are limitless. Trial and error is a great method to find your preferred design. We have added instructions for a simple plane to get you started.
Tīmata! Let’s get started!
Step 1:
Fold an A4 sheet of paper in half lengthways, then open it back up. The centre crease will guide you.
Step 2:
Fold the two top corners into the centre line to make a point.
Step 3:
Fold the angled edges into the centre line once more to make the nose sharper.
Step 4:
Fold the paper back along the original centre crease, with the pointed nose on the outside.
Step 5:
Fold one side down to create a wing, then turn the plane over and repeat on the other side. Try to make both wings the same size.
Step 5:
Hold your plane gently underneath and give it a smooth, gentle throw. Experiment with different throws to see how far it can fly!
Extra for Experts!
Once you have designed your paper plane, it's time to test how far it can fly!
- Throw your plane from the same starting point each time.
- Measure the distance it flies using a tape measure or trundle wheel.
- Record the distance in a table.
- Make one change to your plane, such as adjusting a fold, changing the wing shape, or using a different type of paper.
- Test it again and record the new distance.
- Repeat this process for each design change.
When you have finished testing, use your results to create a graph. A bar graph is a great way to compare how far each plane flew.
Reflect
What worked well and what didn’t when folding and flying your plane?
Look at your graph and discuss:
- Which design flew the furthest?
- Which changes improved the flight?
- Were there any changes that made the plane fly a shorter distance?
- What would you try next to improve your design?
Purpose and Connection
There are countless examples of aerodynamics at play all around us in the natural and technological world. Birds provide a fascinating example of how flight can be possible in countless ways. From the small pīwakawaka to the larger Kea - wingspan, tail feathers, and beak size all affect how these beautiful creatures take flight. On the technological side, drones, satellites, and aeroplanes all provide example of different designs that enable air travel. The design choices you made for your paper aeroplane would have affected the flight path your plane took. We all weave different paths through this life, and the choices we make affect these paths in no small manner. As you look around you and explore throughout your daily life, this activity can help you notice the details, and consider how they impact everything around you.
