Ultimate Paper Airplanes for Kids. Andrew Dewar

      THICK OR THIN?

      Too many layers of paper folded up at the front make the wing too thick. Air can’t go around it smoothly, so it gets unstuck and turbulent at the back. A thinner (or more sharply creased) wing is much better. By the way, putting thick folds on the top side of the wing doesn’t work very well either!

      It’s important for an airplane to be streamlined. It has to be smooth and slick to slip through the air easily. Sleek looking airplanes fly fast because they cut right through the air. Wings and airfoils need to be streamlined too.

      The more streamlined awing is, the more easily air can move around it. A blunt plate is the worst. Not only does it practically stop the air, but the flow behind it is turbulent and messy. A half circle also makes turbulence, because the air can’t join up neatly behind it. Round is better, and flat is most streamlined of all. But remember, flat wings don’t make much lift either. So the best wing shape is the one with the least drag for the most lift. In paper airplanes, that is a thin wing with two or three layers at the front.

      Balance...

      No matter how amazing a plane looks, it won’t fly unless it has balance. No amount of wishing will do. Here’s why!