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Rubberband Powered Helicopter Instructions

A simple rubber band powered toy helicopter, brought home by Orville and Wilbur Wright's father, sparked the brother's interest in aviation and ultimately lead to the discovery of flight. A modified version of this helicopter can be created with common items that are either already on hand in your home, or that can be purchased at the local hardware store. Use a strong rubber band for the best power boost and re-secure any parts that may have come loose after repeated flights.

Things You'll Need

25-inch long piece of wire
String
Rubber band
Paper clip
Paper
Cardboard
Scissors
Tape
Glue

Instructions

- 1
  Shape the wire into a circle, using tape to fasten the ends together.
- 2
  Tie two pieces of string across the inside of the circle, one towards the top and one towards the bottom. This will help stabilize the loop when it's time to fly.
- 3
  Loop one end of rubber band around the middle of one side of the wire circle. Attach the other end of the rubber band to the paper clip and hook the paper clip to the opposite side of the wire circle so that it stretches across the circle in between and parallel to the yarn.
- 4
  Cut two 3- by-12-inch strips, and two 3-by-6-inch strips of paper to use for the helicopter wings. Then cut one 3-by-3-inch cardboard butterfly shape to use for the rotor, and two 1-by-3-inch strips to use as tabs.
- 5
  Attach the 3-by- 6-inch strips to each end of the straw with glue. Glue the butterfly shaped rotor to the middle, aligning it horizontally with the straw in the center of the cutout. Tape the cardboard tabs on each side of the rubber band, then glue the 3-by-12-inch strips of paper to each tab, with each strip extending at an angle of 30 degrees from the rubber band.
- 6
  Hold the bottom of the circle and push the rotor between the two rubber band strands, then wind the rubber band tightly. Release your hold on the rotor and throw the helicopter in the air to fly.

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