Paper Airplane and Origami books

Until I started looking into it, I never knew that this was such a popular publishing field. Its kinda neat that people have sat down and done a the great research that goes into these books.  Follow this link to a bunch here on good ol' Amazon:
Paper Airplanes

Here's some other neat sites that focus on paper airplanes.... some with videos.

This blog has some great videos:  howtomakepaperairplanes

... more coming soon...

How To Make Paper Airplanes

The simplest way to make an airplane starts with a letter size piece of paper.  Fold it exactly in half along the center of the long direction of the paper.  At one end fold the tips up on each side to create a triangular front.  Here's what you should have now: 

 

Now, on each side, fold the side of the triangle up so it is even with the original fold on the center of the paper.  This is what you should have:

 

 

One more time, fold the side of the triangle up do it is even with the original fold on the center of the  paper.  Now you will have a shape that looks like so:

 

 
Next, you need to open up the last folds so that they are 90 degrees perpendicular to create the wings. Flip the plane around and pinch the bottom:

 

You are ready to fly!!!!!

I hope you've enjoyed my little article on How To Make Paper Airplanes.  There's a wealth of information on the internet and in books on this subject.  Here are some helpful links:

This is one of my favorite sites for learning How To Make Paper Airplanes :


Alex has a passion for the subject and has put together a site that has something for everyone. It is absolutely worth a look.

I've always loved Klutz press - they have a wonderful mix of fun and fact, and most books have physical things included - like juggling balls - I spent months with my son learning how to juggle... but that's another story... anyway, these books go into depth that I can't hope to match in a short article. The Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes , claims that the ten airplanes in this book are the best they've ever seen. This big (10" x 12") book comes complete with 40 sheets of flight-tested, ready-to-fold paper, printed on both sides in a variety of 20 colorful patterns, including leopard print, wood grain, hot rod flames and lose-it-on-the-lawn grass. It's everything you need to rule the skies.  Another member of the Klutz collection is The Best Paper Airplanes You'll Ever Fly. The folding instructions are, of course, Klutz-clear and the trimming and flying information is fully field-tested and approved. Written by the editors of Klutz. For ages 6 and up.

Sources:  http://www.klutz.com

Bob Johnson