World Record Paper Plane

This instructable was built after researching and finding John Collins video on YouTube. He is the man that designed the world record holding paper airplane seen in the above video which flew 220 plus feet and obtaining the goal of world record holder for paper airplane distance. The plane is built loosely following Collins instructions the best I can remember.

Step 1: Step 1: Find a Plain Sheet of Paper, 8 1/2 X 11

Find an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, plain paper works just fine. Take the paper and fold the right top corner down along the left edge of sheet, as shown in picture. Make sure you get the edge and corner lined up as close as possible, we are looking for precision. Using your finger, go over crease several times to make it nice and crisp.

Step 2: Step 2: Fold Left Side

Unfold right side and note the distinct line in which the crease leaves, this is what you want. Now, fold upper left corner of paper over and align with the right edge of paper and make sure to iron each fold several times with fingers to make it sharp and clean, accuracy here is important. Unfold sheet and you will see that there is an X shaped crease on the sheet now.

Step 3: Step 3: First Fold for Wings

Take right top corner and fold it over laying the edge of the paper along the X shaped line. Try to follow the line as precisely as possible and then go over crease several times to ensure it is well defined. Repeat this step folding the left top corner.

Step 4: Step 4: Wing Fold Under

Now unfold again and take edge of right fold and fold it underneath itself, lining up the edge with the crease from the previous fold, creasing as before. Repeat for the left side. Now it should look like the fourth image above.

Step 5: Step 5: Double Down Folds

The first image should reflect the progress so far, note the line from the previous folds and the line from the edge of the under folded wing. Fold the top down and line up the crease lines as shown in images 3 and 4. Crease as before.

Step 6: Step 6: Intermediate Wing Folds

Now fold right side over again using the crease shown in image 1 as a guide. Crease as before and repeat with left side. Make sure folds follow lines precisely and iron out folds well.

Step 7: Step 7: Center Flap

Fold flap up along the crease line shown in image 1. Iron out well and flip onto other side as shown in image 4.

Step 8: Step 8: Fold in Half

Fold over sheet shown in image 1, just as shown in image 2, with the folded portions showing on the outside. Be sure to line up the outermost corners and the edges coming off of point precisely. The corners where the folded portion meets are not critical but the rear and front are.

Step 9: Step 9: Final Wing Folds

Fold wings down but take note of the small triangle visible in images 1 and 2, wing must be folded until the triangle disappears, creasing accordingly. Plane should look the same as pictured in image 4.

Step 10: Step 10: Tuning Your Plane

Tuning the plane is critical. The wings will naturally be swung down as in image 1, this is incorrect and will not give a good airfoil and will not keep the plane stable. Gently bend the wings up wards of 90 degrees as shown in image 2. This will move the center of gravity down below the wings so no matter which way the plane rocks, it will always swing back due to weight. Next, gently take the rear portion of each wing and bend it upwards without folding or creasing as shown in image 4. This may need tuning. The plane, is designed to climb, stall, then continue forward. This plane is designed to throw far and climb high so test in a gymnasium or hanger with a tall ceiling and plenty of length to fly. If it climbs too quickly, bend the rear portion slightly downwards, and up if it does not climb enough.

Happy Flying!