Just for Fun: The Best of Paper Airplanes

Well, the weekend is almost upon us and everybody deserves a little break. So today, inspired by an email I picked up from Peter Verheyen on the Book Arts List, I decided to do a little light-hearted post on Paper Airplanes (or paper aeroplanes for those in the UK)!

Prior to publishing this post I would have considered myself to be fairly competent at making what I would judge a good paper airplane, I would have also confessed to know an adequate amount about the subject (how much is there to know?!). Well, as it turns out, there’s a lot more to paper airplanes than meets the eye!

So without further ado, here’s a select few videos on everything you didn’t already know about airplanes. Don’t forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page… Enjoy!

The Best Paper Aeroplane Throw. Ever.

Perhaps the greatest paper airplane throw in history, God was looking down on those fortunate few that day. What are the chances?!

Lego Paper Aeroplane Folder & Thrower

For those of you who used to play with lego when you were a child, look at what this one guy put together…

Specs: 2 NXT units, 6 servo motors, 10-12 power-function motors and several sensors + a tonne of lego.

Red Bull Paper Wings World Finals Aerobatics Colombia

The Red Bull Paper Wings Compeition is a world wide paper plan competition that takes place each year. Below is Alfredo Ramirez’s ‘entry’ in the 2012 Aerobatics Final Round (he finished 3rd in the end out of 82 qualifying countries)… Very impressive

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The Secrets & Science Behind World Record Paper Airplane Design

John Collins, “The Paper Airplane Guy,” tells us how he designed his world record paper airplane. See the 30 minute presentation on his World Record Breaking Aeroplane Design HERE.

I never would have thought that so much technical design could go into making a paper aeroplane, the hard work paid off in the end. This is very interesting. (For the geeky, science types among us anyway :-s)

A Paper Aeroplane Maker/Machine Gun

Next up is this German guy… he built an automated ‘Paper Airplane Machine Gun’ which both folds and fires paper aeroplanes. You might also be interested to know that he made it from a 3D printer and powers it from a cordless screwdriver!

If you’ve got a spare second I’d recommend reading some of the views in the comments section on the YouTube video, they are very funny and a couple of which lead to quite heated debates…

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A GoPro on Red Bull’s Massive Paper Aeroplane

Of course RedBull would decide to build on of the worlds largest paper planes, hoist it up to the skies via a helicopter, let it loose and watch it fly… Why not?! Thanks to the numerous HD GoPro cameras mounted to the various sections, we get a first hand experience of what it might be like to go gliding in a paper plane… Pretty scary.

2nd Best Paper Airplane Throw. Ever.

Some of you might remember this one… Thrown down from one of the top stands during the England vs Puru Football Game earlier this year, this ‘perfectly aimed’ paper aeroplane glided down over the onlooking crowd and hit Peruvian player, Hansell Riojas, right in the side of the head only to make tabloid news the next day (read them here: the Telegraph, Guardian, Mirror even the Independant). The score in the end 3-0 to England and 5,969,552 views on YouTube. Paper planes are so great!

Paper Aeroplane That Flies For Eternity

For the energy concious, you can use lighter weight paper and only turn the hobs up half way 😉

Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane

… And those with a love of gadgets…

Aerofoil Profile Paper Plane

One of the few paper airplanes that make use of a traditional aerofoil design.

F-18 Paper Aeroplane Tutorial (Advanced)

The most advanced and design accurate paper planes I think you can make. Hats off to the designer.

Paper Airplane Launcher

A little craft project to do with your children. It seems to work quite well. Good also for us old farts with bad shoulders.

Most Watched YouTube Video on ‘Paper Planes’

If anyone is curious as to what the most viewed result from a ‘Paper Planes’ query is on YouTube, it’s M.I.A. and her song Paper Planes. It’s a pretty catchy tune I’ve not heard before so figured I’d include it on the list.

And that’s your lot guys and gals! I hope this has lightened up your day a little bit…

Out of curiosity, for those who made it down this far, what would you have otherwise been doing today should you not have came here?

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