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How to Make Complicated Paper Planes

Paper airplanes are fun and easy to make. Some designs are very simple and can be folded in a matter of seconds. Other designs are a little more complicated and require more time. With more involved types of planes it is important to line up your folds perfectly and make sure you create deep and lasting creases so the plane does not come unfolded in flight.

Things You'll Need

8 1/2-inch by 11 inch paper
Ruler

Instructions

- 1
  Place your piece of paper in on a hard surface with the 8 1/2-inch dimensions on top and bottom. Bring the left 11-inch side over to meet the right side so the paper is in half length-wise. Crease it by pressing down on the ruler along the fold. Open the paper back to to its full width. Fold the upper left corner down so the top is now flush with the center crease. Repeat this step with the right-side corner. Make sure the edges line up perfectly with 90 degree angles where the two edges meet at the center.
- 2
  Fold the two sides inward and crease with ruler. Notice you now have a diamond shape at the top of the paper. Fold the top half of the diamond shape in and crease. Open this section up, fold back the opposite way and crease. Fold out a second time so you have a very pliable fold.
- 3
  Fold the top left side of the diamond shape in and down so it meets the angle of the opposite side of the diamond. Crease this fold with the ruler. Repeat this step for the right side. Use the ruler to help smooth out all the creases and to make sure your lines are straight.
- 4
  Place your index fingers under the horizontal crease and push inward to collapse the top section into an inverted diamond shape. Smooth out the creases so the paper is completely broken and stays folded.
- 5
  Fold the bottom half of the inverted diamond shape down and tuck it under the top half. Crease with the ruler. Fold the left side of the paper outward from the center crease and smooth out with the ruler. Repeat this step on the right side to create the wings of the plane.
- 6
  Hold the paper airplane with the folds facing down and the tip pointing forwards. Place your four fingers on top of the plane with your thumb cradling the bottom. Launch the plane forward.

Aviation