Now you know the basics. You can
make additions and changes to your paper plane or you can get creative
and design your own fabulous flier. Here are a few things to think
about as you work on getting your creation airbourne.
Wings
To make your plane fly farther, give it bigger wings. For a zippy
stunt plane, try smaller wings. What happens if you give your plane
flaps, or “ailerons”? In real planes, left and right
ailerons work together to make an airplane turn in flight. When
the left aileron angles up, it creates a downward force, making
the left wing drop. Meanwhile, the right aileron angles down. This
increases lift and raises the right wing. The plane turns to the
left. Try bending your paper airplane's ailerons. What happens if
you bend them up or down, make them bigger or smaller?
Rudder
Changing rudder position changes the direction a plane’s nose
points--and the direction the plane flies. Give your plane rudders
by making flaps in the tail section. Try different rudder positions
and see how they affect flight.
Extras
Think about planes loaded with people, pets, fuel, and food. Does
it matter where all this weight is placed in the plane? You can
experiment with weight and balance by putting tape or paper clips
on different parts of your plane. Does making your plane with thicker
or thinner paper change the way it flies?
Throwing
The way you throw your plane will affect its flight. Different planes
fly better depending on how you throw them. Try throwing your plane
straight up into the air vertically for loops. Throw gently in a
horizontal direction for gliding. |
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