Learn How to Make the Best Paper Airplanes from a Champion Designer

At some point in everyone's life, usually during a particularly dull moment in third grade, a plain white piece of paper inspires a certain degree of airy imagination. Turning that thin white sheet into a sleek winged jet that can fly through any classroom with stealth, speed, and serious wait time can be used as a metaphor for human endeavor and creativity. As with any other engineering feat, big or small, there are no limits to the intricacies of how to make a good paper airplane (aka paper airplane), or how to make one if you're so inclined. the best paper airplane.

Folding the best paper airplane for distance is a skill anyone can master. Taking this to the highest levels requires additional dedication as well as solid paper airplane design training from a true master of the craft.

“When I was in elementary school, I experimented with regular paper airplane models and tried to make them better; folding them over and over again, re-cutting the paper, completely adjusting the models,” says distinguished paper airplane designer Lazar Krstic. “It was mostly a hobby I did when I was bored at school,” adds the mechanical engineer from Serbia, whose childhood talent for origami turned into a passion for what he calls “action-based” origami. Best paper airplane designs.

Krstic's hobby would culminate in him eventually becoming the 2022 Red Bull Paper Wings champion (yes, there is such a thing) with one of his latest models, shown below.

In this article, we present a paper airplane tutorial for three-level paper airplane designers who want to make the best flyers in their class.

Beginners looking to build a sturdy paper airplane in minutes can learn how to fold our ultimate paper airplane for beginners, the Arrowhead. More ambitious paper airplane designers can skip ahead to the step-by-step guide to creating the Dart Ultra, our best mid-range airplane.

If you're one of those rare candidates who will take the time to make the intricate folds needed to make the coolest paper airplane on the tarmac, Krstic will show you (in a 14-minute video) how to win Red Bull Paper Wings. He soared over 200 feet to victory.

Tips on How to Make the Best Paper Airplane

“The key to making the best paper airplane is precision,” Krstic says, emphasizing that “there are ways to fold one piece of paper better than others.” The two don't always go hand in hand for optimal paper airplane distance or flight time. “It can change the overall design process depending on what you want to achieve,” he says, adding that the type of paper also has a significant impact on the performance of the aircraft. “Whether you try your own pattern or follow an online tutorial, you need to use 100 GSM paper and make extremely precise folds.”

In the spirit of the Wright brothers' aviation experiments, get ready to build various models and go through many flight tests to reach that eureka moment, only safer. “I'll often have to make 50 to 100 similar models with minor changes to see what works and what doesn't,” Krstic says. “Then I start developing the final model.”

Here's how to make good paper airplanes that will go the desired distance.

Best Paper Airplane Design for Beginners: Arrowhead

For a simple but surprisingly sturdy paper airplane, start with standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper and follow the instructions below. These types of paper airplanes won't win any Red Bull Paper Wings competition, but they're a great place to start.

1. Fold in half lengthwise: Start by folding the paper in half lengthwise, then unfold it to reveal the center line.

2. Fold the Top: Take the top and fold it toward the center about an inch.

3. Fold the Corners Down: Now turn the paper over and fold the corners downwards to form a triangle.

4. Fold the Triangle Down: Fold the top triangle all the way down.

5. Double the plane: Fold the plane in half along the original center fold with the wings on the outside.

6. Fold the Triangle Up: Now fold the triangle up to the top of the paper.

7. Invert: Turn the paper over and fold two more triangles from each corner as before.

8. Create Wings: Open the triangles again and fold the edges down to create the wings.

9. Close and Compress: Close the paper airplane again and tuck the tip under the nose.

10. double it: Fold in half, then fold the wings down. You can go now.

Best Intermediate Paper Airplane Design: Dart Ultra

For a slightly more advanced paper airplane, there's the Dart Ultra; He was Krstic's favorite in high school, which earned him third place in a competition held in his native Serbia. It is one of the best paper airplanes for distance, hence the name, and requires only a few additional steps beyond a beginner airplane.

1. Fold in half lengthwise: Start by folding the paper in half lengthwise, then unfold it to create a fold down the middle.

2. Fold in Half Width: Now make the same fold except horizontally, then unfold again.

3. Fold Side Edge Down: Now fold the edge of the paper down by a quarter of its width.

4. Fold the Corners: Fold the top corners down to the center crease above the end you just folded, creating a narrow triangle.

5. Create Wings: To make the wings, fold the top edges on each side, aligning them with the center of the plane.

6. Fold the Wings Again: For each wing, make a second fold on top of the previous fold on each side.

7. fold the tail: Fold the tail pieces and apply a piece of tape to hold them in place.

8. double it: Fold the entire plane in half along the center line.

9. Fold the wings back: Fold the wings on both sides towards just under the fuselage of the aircraft. Now your Dart Ultra is ready for test flight.

Best Advanced Paper Airplane Design: Red Bull Paper Wings Winner – Lazar Kristic

This is the model Krstic created to win the Red Bull Paper Wings championship. It suggests 100 GSM (grams per square meter) paper, tight folds with millimeter precision, and endless patience. It took Kristic about three hours to build it. “You have to have strong fingers and hold the folds very tightly,” he says. “The really hard part is folding everything without making even a 0.4mm mistake.”

1. Triangle FolkD.: Fold the corner symmetrically with the line at the bottom of the paper.

2. Fold Wing: Fold the flap from the bottom of the paper up.

3. Unfold the Plane and Fold In: Open the plane and fold the lower triangle towards the center.

4. Fold the Flap Twice: Fold the bottom flap back on itself twice.

5. Measure 195mm: Measure the length of the aircraft from tip to tail to ensure it is 195 mm.

6. Fold the Tail in: Fold the small tail flap towards the rear of the aircraft so it is flush.

7. Fold the Upper and Lower Tail: Make a small fold at the top and bottom of the tail to make both ends straight.

8. Fold the Paper Over the Tail: Fold the paper over the tail, using a ruler to line it up with the tail.

9. Fold the Flap Up: Fold the flap on itself once.

10. Fold the Paper Over the Tail: Above the tail, fold the paper using a ruler to line up the tail.

11. Fold the Flap Up: Fold the flap back on itself.

12. Fold the Paper Over the Tail: Do this again, using a ruler to line up with the tail.

13. Fold the Entire Plane 4 Times: Fold the paper plane upwards four times in an almost rolling motion as shown in the video.

14. Accuracy Measure: Measure the triangle on the plane to make sure the folds are correct. It should be 85 mm.

15. Fold the Plane Down the Middle: Using a ruler, find the midpoint of the plane and fold it in half.

16. Fold the winglets: Fold each of the wings in half.

17. Apply a Paper Clip: Attach a paper clip to the center of the plane's base to hold it in place.

18. Fold the Paper Over Your Nose: Fold the triangle piece over the nose and press with a pen or pencil.

19. Remove Paper Clip: Remove the paper clip and apply it to the wing side of the plane to hold it in place.

20. Fold the Paper All the Way Over the Nose: Fold the triangular piece of paper over the nose and press it with a pen or pencil. Do this again until you reach the end of the plane.

21. Fold the Wing Horizontally: Fold the last flap of the paper horizontally across the nose of the aircraft. Press down from the middle.

22. Use Pliers to Open the Hole: Take a pair of pliers and slide it into the slot on the side of the plane to open it.

23. Fold the cover in: Fold the edge of the triangle flush with the wing.

24. Fold Tab and Fold In: Fold the tab once more and insert the flap into the hole in the side of the plane. Press down with pliers.

25. Let It Fly: Krstic recommends throwing upside down with your finger on the tip for optimal distance.