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How to make a paper airplane and how paper airplanes work

The history of the first paper airplane is largely debated. According to the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y.,  some believe the earliest paper airplanes came from China with the use of papyrus paper to make kites.

Others attribute some of the earliest designs to Leonardo da Vinci with his early writings about a parchment flying machine. Some say the modern day paper airplane was a result of the Wright Brothers taking flight in 1903.  Single Tray Paper Cup Machine

How to make a paper airplane and how paper airplanes work

Paper airplanes are a fun and simple kids crafts anyone can make, but how does one build a paper airplane?

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Building a paper airplane can be done in five easy steps.

1. Fold a piece of paper in half vertically.

2. Unfold the piece of paper and fold the top corners in.

3. Fold the top two corners you've already folded in one more time.

4. Fold the piece of paper back in half on the original fold you did in step one. 

5. Create wings by folding down even triangles from the back of the plane.

According to Scholastic, the main force that helps a paper airplane fly is air. Air helps carry the plane through its brief flight.

Unlike with passenger plane, paper airplanes are not propelled forward by engines but rather by their initial toss. Paper airplanes fly due to four main forces: drag, gravity, thrust and lift.

Drag and gravity work together to ground the plane while also slowing it down. Drag is the resistance as the plane flies through the air, while gravity is what slowly brings your plane to the ground. 

Thrust and lift work together to move your plane forward. Thrust is the actual forward movement of the plane. Since paper airplanes, typically, do not have engines, the thrust comes from the initial throw. Lift comes from the air below the plane pushing it up.

How to make a paper airplane and how paper airplanes work

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