How to Make a Trick Paper Airplane

Co-authored by Amy Guerrero

Last Updated: February 13, 2023

If you make a trick paper airplane correctly, then you'll have a creation that can fly for long periods of time, return to you like a boomerang, or even do flips. If you want to know how to make a trick paper plane in no time at all, just follow these steps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Simple Trick Paper Airplane

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Using plain printer paper is best -- if you pick paper that is thicker, it will fall too easily, and if you pick thinner paper, it won't be able to gather enough momentum to really fly. After you fold the paper, run your finger along the crease to secure it.
Just unfold the piece of paper the same way you folded it. Make sure the crease is prominent and runs all the way down the paper.

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You should create two similar right triangles with edges that meet right along the line of the crease. They should be as close to the same size as possible.
The tip of the top corner should move down to touch the bottom of the edges where the two triangles meet.
Fold the paper in half lengthwise just as you did in the beginning. Fold it along the same crease. You can reinforce the crease again, if you like.
Once the paper is folded in half, grab one side by the outer edge of the diagonal part and fold it over toward the middle crease, so that you see a small triangle with a bottom edge that touches the middle crease. Turn the paper over and do the same on the other side. You will create a long, rectangular shape with triangles on either side of the plane. Try to make the handle .4 inches (1 cm) long at most.
Grab the airplane by the handle in the middle and gently throw it upward. You'll see that this plane creates loops instead of flying straight ahead. Keep playing with it -- experiment to see how throwing the plane faster or slower affects the movements of the plane.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Trick Paper Airplane

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Using plain printer paper for this trick paper airplane is best. If you pick paper that is thicker, it will fall too easily, and if you pick thinner paper, it won't be able to gather enough momentum to really fly. It's important to be precise when you try to fold the paper exactly in half. After you're done, run your finger along the crease to make sure that it's secure. ^{[1]
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Once you've secured the crease, just unfold the paper in the same exact way that you folded it. You'll be left with a piece of paper with a vertical crease running down its center.
This will create two triangles that meet along the middle crease of the plane. Running your fingers along the outer edges of the triangles will reinforce the folds.
Take the top corner of the paper and fold it down along the line created by the bottom edges of the two triangles. You'll be creating a mirror image of the top triangle over this line. You'll have a triangle with a corner that is pointing downward instead of upward.
The bottom corner of the big triangle should still be peeking below the folds created by the top two corners. Just the tips of the triangles created by the top two corners should meet an inch (2.5 cm) above the bottom corner of the big triangle below them.
Just take the little flap below the two folded triangles and fold it upward, above the little space where the two triangles met. Make sure that the creases on the sides of the airplane are nice and firm after you do this by running your finger along their edges.
Fold the plane lengthwise in the opposite direction of the way you folded it in the beginning. You should be able to see the little triangles you created on the outer sides of the plane after this fold.
Fold one wing down so that it gradually slopes downward, with the thickest part of the wing being at the bottom and falling below the bottom edge of the plane. Then, fold the other wing down the same way to meet the first wing. This will make the plane as aerodynamic as it can be and can make it fly long distances and loop in the air.
Grab the handle of the plane and gently throw it upwards and watch it glide long distances and spin in the air.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Other Trick Paper Airplanes

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Make an incredibly fast paper airplane. This plane can glide faster than lightening if you fold it correctly.
Make a loop de loop paper airplane. This plane will do the loop de loop trick every time. All you need is some paper, throwing technique, and a stapler.
This paper plane can cover a great distance while performing a variety of tricks.
Make a boomerang airplane. Make an airplane that will return to you like a boomerang.

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Question

How do paper airplanes fly?

Community Answer

While the plane is flying forward, air moving over and under the wings is providing an upward lift force on the plane. At the same time, air pushing back against the plane is slowing it down, creating a drag force. The weight of the paper plane also affects its flight, as gravity pulls it down toward Earth.

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How do I make the slim plane paper airplane?

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You make the regular paper airplane, but you fold the sides in one more time.

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What makes a trick paper plane go upwards suddenly?

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When a large amount of air gets caught up under the plane, a part of it will jerk up. This is called "stalling."

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Tips

Fold the wings in different directions. (It makes for better tricks.)

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Make all of the folds as precise as you can.

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Warnings

Avoid throwing where there is a breeze or it'll go right off course.

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Things You'll Need

One rectangular piece of paper
Flat work surface for folding

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Making a Simple Trick Paper Airplane

Making a Trick Paper Airplane

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