How to Make Wood Airplanes

Place the 1/8-by-3-by-9-inch balsa wood strip on the cutting mat. Use a pencil to draw the side profile of an airplane. Cut along the pencil line with a hobby knife until the profile of the plane is cut out.

Measure with a ruler and mark the center point on the plane profile. Mark a 1 1/2-inch line on each side of the center point so there is a 3-inch slit in the center of the plane profile. Now cut 1/16 inch out making it a 1/16-inch slit. This slit will accommodate the wing piece.

At the tail of the plane profile, make another 1/16-inch slit with the hobby knife. The slit should be 1 inch long. This slit will accommodate the tail rudder piece.

Place the 1/16-by-1-by-5-inch balsa wood strip on the cutting mat. This will be the tail rudder piece. Draw a pencil line to gently round the corners of the rudder piece. Cut along the pencil line with the hobby knife.

Place the 1/16-by-3-by-10-inch balsa wood strip on the cutting mat. This will be the wing piece. Draw a pencil line to gently round the corners of the wing piece. Cut along the pencil line with the hobby knife.

Slide the tail rudder piece into the 1/16-inch slot on the tail of the plane profile. Center the piece so that equal parts are on either side of the plane body. Slide the wing piece into the 1/16 slot in the center of the plane profile. Center the wing piece so that equal parts are on either side of the plane body.

Throw the plane to test the flight pattern of the plane. It may be necessary to weight the tip of the plane down. Use a paper clip or two if this is necessary. Adjust the weight as needed.