How to Build a Balsa Wood Airplane

Draw a rectangle about 12 inches long and 2 inches wide onto the balsa wood. Trace a curve on two of the rectangle’s corners–to get the shape of the wings. Draw a second rectangle, around 3 inches long by 2 inches wide, and curb two corners in the same manner as the wings–this becomes the tail. Draw a 2 inch square then round off two of the square’s corners, so there's a curve on one side. This will be the upright portion of the airplane’s tail. Draw a 10 inch long by 1 inch wide profile of an airplane body.

Cut out all the outlined components of the balsa wood airplane with the utility knife. Sand the straight edge of the wing piece so that it graduates down to a thickness of around 1/8 inch along the straight edge.

Hold the body of the airplane vertically, so that the spine is facing upward. Center the wings over the body, around 4 inches back from the nose. Place a line of glue along the center of the wings and glue it to the top of the body, flat graduated side facing the back of the airplane. Let dry. Place another line of glue along the corners of the joint between the wing and the body, making it around 1/8 inch thickness of glue for a really strong hold. Let dry.

Center and glue the tail piece to the spine of the body–flush with the end–in the same way you glued on the wings. Place the tail upright piece in the center of the tail piece, vertically, with the rounded edges on top. Glue in place. Let dry for at least an hour before trying out your balsa wood airplane. Fly the balsa plane by throwing it gently while holding the body, much like you fly a paper airplane.