Hello! For this instructables, we have made a fun, easy to make propellor plane! The special aspect of our project is that you can adjust parts of the plane after construction to see which combination produces the best flight. It is a great tool to get kids interested in how planes and physics works!

Supplies

Balsa Wood (Flat Sheets and Long Square 3.2 mm by 3.2mm Rods)

Hot Glue

Propellor with a hook

X-acto knife

Rubber Band

Balsa Wood Cutter

Adhesive Spray or Glue Sticks

Popsicle Sticks

Plastic Wrap

Light Bulb

Small Hook

Step 1: Constructing the Rectangular Section of the Fuselage

Construct the central body(fuselage) of the plane. We recommend constructing the rectangular and triangular portions separately. First, the rectangular section. Take the flat balsa wood and trace 6 rectangles. two of the rectangles will be 1” by 3”, two will be 2” by 3”, and two will be 1” by 2”. Then, cut all of them out using the X-acto knife.

Step 2: Constructing the Triangular Section of the Fuselage

Next is the triangular section. Get another piece of flat balsa wood and trace out two triangles and two rectangles. The triangles should be 4.25” long and 2” wide. It will be an isosceles triangle. The rectangles will be 1” by 4.37”. Then, cut them out with the X-acto knife.

Step 3: Finishing the Fuselage

Now, hot glue the rectangular sections together to form a box and the triangular sections to form a triangular prism. Lastly, attach the two bodies together to complete the fuselage.

Step 4: Constructing the Vertical Stabilizer and Tail

Trace the vertical stabilizer and the tail on the flat balsa wood, and cut them out using the X-acto knife. Make sure to cut the tail so that it matches the triangular shape of the rear of the fuselage. This will allow the tail to fit onto the back of the plane without the use of glue. Also, the tail can be adjusted to change the flight path. Secure the vertical stabilizer to the body using the pin. Insert the pin towards the front of the tail so it can be adjusted freely.

Step 5: Making the Weight-bearing Section

Cut out a 1.2” by 5” piece from the balsa sheets. This will be glued to the bottom of the plane on the front. This allows a place to put weight(we used paperclips) in order to change the flight path if desired.

Step 6: Constructing the Wing

Cut the support beams for the wing using the square shaped sticks. Cut 4 2” rods. Set the 2” rods off to the side and construct the wing. First cut out 2 15” long balsa wood rods and 4 3.5” rods. Take the two longer rods and gently wet one side of them. Then place the side with the water over a source of heat (we used a lightbulb). Hold the wing in a curved position for 8-10 minutes. The water and heat will allow the wing to hold its shape. Then attach the two long rods together with the 4 3.5”rods: 2 on either end and then the remaining 2 should be evenly spaced out in the middle. Lastly, use adhesive spray, or a glue stick, to attach saran wrap over the wings.

Step 7: Attaching the Wing to the Fuselage

Attach the wing to the top of the plane using the 4 2” rods you set aside earlier. Using the hot glue, attach two rods to the front end of the wing and then to the fuselage. Similarly, attach the last two rods to the back end of the wing and to the fuselage. Make sure the wing is straight when glueing.

Step 8: Attaching the Propellor

Cut a popsicle stick sized hole into the front face of the body. This will be the anchor point for the propeller unit. Glue the popsicle stick into the hole with enough of it protruding out to securely attach the propeller.

Step 9:

Take the hook and insert it into the top of the fuselage right in front of the vertical stabilizer. The rubber band will be attached to this from the propellor.

Step 10: Plane Is Complete!

You are done! Now you can go and fly your plane. Make sure that the rubber band is attached to the hook on the propellor and the hook on the fuselage. Then, wind the propeller using your finger and let it go. You can change the flight path of the plane by adjusting the tail, vertical stabilizer, or by adding weight to the sheet glued on the bottom. Happy flying!

Introduction: Propeller Plane