Paper aeroplanes have been popular with children and adults alike for many years, and represent an excellent way to develop an understanding of the physics of flight. There are a number of free-to-access websites available with instructions on assembling paper planes, a selection of which are discussed in this article.
Fun Paper Airplanes
Fun Paper Airplanes is a comprehensive website providing access to 15 free downloadable paper aeroplane templates complete with full printing and assembly instructions. The templates even include instructions on how to modify your plane for a perfect flight.
The website also has a section summarising the principles of lift, thrust and drag, and how they can be applied to the flight of paper aeroplanes. There is a further section containing flying tips for perfecting your paper aeroplane throwing technique.
Bestpaperairplanes.com
Bestpaperairplanes.com contains a collection of 10 copyrighted paper aeroplane designs. Beautifully hand-illustrated diagrams provide clear instructions for the assembly of each plane, together with simple instructions on how best to launch the finished product.
Paperairplanes.co.uk
Paperairplanes.co.uk contains details of around 25 different paper aeroplanes. This website features video instructions on the assembly of many of the planes, and the presenter includes interesting information about each plane during the presentation. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow, although the ads at the foot of the screen are a little distracting. The range of planes featured on this site is impressive, even including the “Worst Ever Paper Plane”. Designs range from those conceived by the website owner himself to others sent to him by the public.
Ken Blackburn’s Paper Airplanes
Ken Blackburn held the world record for the time aloft for paper aeroplanes until 2009. His website includes picture instructions on how to make a paper plane, together with a variety of designs sent in by viewers. The instructions for assembling these planes vary in their clarity and some links do not work, but the site does include some interesting information on paper plane design in the autobiography section.
Paper Aeroplanes by Peter Kunzman
This website (paperaeroplanes.com) is easy to navigate and unlike some of the others it is not cluttered by advertisements. The site currently features five paper plane designs, each with very clear video assembly instructions, and most also having a video showing a test flight of the finished product. The website also features a blog containing a wealth of excellent information regarding the physics of paper plane flight, thoroughly and clearly explained.
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Veronica Mitchell - Veronica studied veterinary medicine at Cambridge University before becoming a secondary school science teacher. She enjoys writing about ...
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