Paper Airplane - The Bendy Straw Plane, Part 1

The Bendy Straw Plane, Part 1

This is a plane I invented through experimentation with common household objects. It's a cool little craft that puts some (not all) regular paper airplanes to shame (although I will still always be a paper airplane buff).

Materials

Manilla Folder (used to construct wing)
6" cookie stick, 20 cm diameter
7.5 inch flexible straw
1.5" self tapping screw
1 sheet printer paper
1 toothpick
scotch tape

Tools

Scissors
Utility Knife

Instructions:
1) Cut 8" x 2.5 " shape out of manilla paper (Wings)
2) Using cookie stick, create tubular depression in center of manilla paper. Crease the paper where it comes together at the full circumference of the stick.
3) At these creases bend the paper back to create the wings of the plane.
4) Cut 2 shapes out of regular printer paper to build the tail: Piece #1 - 1/2" x 4" Piece #2 - 4" x 2"
5) Bend piece # 2 in half. Cut a strip about 20 wide strip at open end of the bend, stopping about 1/4" from a full cut. Using utility knife, make a 1/2" wide slit about 1/4" about the previously cut strip.
6) Slide piece #1 through the slit and center it.
7) Starting about 1" from straw's bend, use utility knife to create a straight slit slightly longer than the 2.5" width of the manilla paper strip. This will create an opening in the straw in which the tubular portion of the manilla strip will fit. (The straw can be considered the fuselage)
8) Use toothpick to give the wings rigidity. Use utility knife to cut small holes at the creases on each side of tubular portion, about 1/4" from the edge of the paper.
9) Insert the toothpick through these holes and tape the visible parts to the underside of the wing. Make sure there is enough room for the cookie stick to fit under the toothpick and through the tube.
10) Insert the tube into the slit in straw, making sure of snug fit.
11) Twist screw into the end of cookie stick until tight. Much of the screw will still be visible.
12) Slide cookie stick into end of straw and make sure it secures the tubular portion of manilla paper by going under toothpick all the way through to the bend in straw.
13) Wrap a few pieces of scotch tape around the straw on each side of the manilla wing. This is for fortification.
14) Take previously made tail section and slide the slit on piece #2 into the bendy part of straw. Secure it to straw with one piece of tape wrapped from the underside of the straw, up onto both side of piece #2.
15) Use pencil to widen the gap in piece #2. This is to keep piece #1 level.

notes:
-When constructing the plane, take care to make all cuts and slits very straight. Make slits in straw and paper very straight. This will ensure the best results.
-kids please use parental supervision since the construction of this plane involves sharp edged tools.

Flying the plane:
When flying the plane, experiment a bit. You won't have to bend the straw too much to get the desired flight path. Bending it too much can result in "crash and burn". You can make it swoop by bending tail section slightly upward. Works best with a flick of the wrist and not a full arm motion.

Beauty of plane is that you can experiment with different wing patterns since you can remove the cookie stick and insert a different wing.

Please send me any improvements you may make to the plane that you feel makes it fly even better!!!!

Music Credit - Good 'ol Fashioned Gospel Throwdown by The Dirk Quinn Band


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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• glider
• flies far
• glides
• adjust flight
• paper airplane
• paper glider
• paper jet
• how to build a paper airplane
• cool paper airplane
• arts and crafts
• throw paper plane

[uberhaxonova2]

thx for the edvise but what if i only use the pen tube because i live in canada and theres no target here and do you need to use one of the folders or can u use paper ps i like pankakes a

[ZouBCivil]

@uberhaxonova2 search 'cookie stick' on line (Google Search) and buy the 6 inch Wilton cylindrical cookie sticks.

...and no, regular paper will not work as it is not sturdy enough. also, a pen tube I doubt will be heavy enough.

[uberhaxonova2]

what is a cookie stick plz tell em can i use a pen instead

[ZouBCivil]

@uberhaxonova2 you should be able to get them at your local target or walmart. I'll get back to you with the brand I used since I am sure there are a variety of sizes (widths, lengths). The ones I used were approx 1/2 centimeter in width (give or take) and the material seemed like tightly rolled paper. Not sure you would be able to use a pen due to weight and inability to secure screw to end of it, but you can certainly try if you can get creative enough.

[kareem97156]

i do not have cookie stick

[ZouBCivil]

@kareem97156 your local Target, Walmart or dollar store might have them. As I told @uberhaxonova2 above, I'll get back to you with the brand used.

[ZouBCivil]

@jackdrippa1000 I suppose you could try anything that is rigid enough to support the flight. Just not too heavy.

[jackdrippa1000]

Can i use a card in stead of manilla folder?

[TheSpeedPainteress]

do you know how to make one out of popsicle sticks, a rubber band, printer paper, and tape/glue? if you do please help!

[JoySoulCrafts1976]

When does it take flight? From which airport? lol I'm trying to be funny. Enjoyed.