How to Build Foam Airplanes

Sketch out the basic design for your foam plane on a piece of paper to include the dimensions of your plane, like wingspan, length, tail height and width of the fuselage. Transfer your design to the white poster board and draw each component to scale in separate sections of the poster board. Use the ruler to help you draw straight lines and ensure correct measurements.

Cut out each component from the poster board. Place each component onto a sheet of 1/2-inch thick foam and trace around the poster board to create guidelines. Cut out the plane's pieces from the foam sheets using the traced lines as guidelines.

Cut out a 1/2 inch-squared notch on the end of the tailpiece that will allow the tail to be assembled later. Cut out a 1/2-inch notch in the center edge of the wings. Measure a 1/2-inch tall slot in the center of the fuselage that's as long as the wings are wide and cut out this section. Slide the wings into the fuselage slot and pull the wings toward the rear of the plane so that the fuselage rests snugly into the notch on the wings.

Apply a bead of industrial strength adhesive gel to the joint between the wings and the fuselage. Allow to dry. Slide the tailpiece onto the end of the body (the "elevator") and glue into place. Cut a small 45-degree angled notch on the bottom side of the elevator and cut a small 4-inch piece of foam. Slide the 4-inch piece perpendicularly into the 45-degree angled slot. Glue into place to complete the tail.

Drill small holes into all four corners of the wood block and drill a larger hole in the center of the block that is the same diameter as the nose propeller. Glue the block to the nose on the fuselage and allow it to dry. Screw the propeller into place onto the wood block. Tape the electrical components to the outside of the fuselage; run the wires from the propeller to the motor and tape the motor to the underside of the plane.