How

 To  Make  a  Quality  Paper  Glider  

An Adam Falcsik Instruction Set

Are you tired of making paper gliders that just do not fly?
This instruction set will walk you through the steps necessary
to turn an ordinary piece of photocopy paper into a quality
paper glider that will actually fly. The steps include preparing
the paper, forming the fuselage, and creating the wings. The
finished product will be a top-notch paper glider constructed
in less than twenty minutes.

What  You  Will  Need  

 A piece of 8 ½” X 11” (or similarly proportioned) paper
 A flat, open work surface like a table or desk
 A writing utensil
 A small amount of patience

Note: Throughout the entire process make sure all edges are properly aligned before creasing any fold. This will
ensure optimal results.

Phase  1:  Preparing  the  Paper  

This first phase of steps will guide you through the preliminary folds necessary to transform the
paper into a flight capable glider.

Step 1.1

Lay out your piece of paper in the standard portrait

position (shorter side closest to you).

1
Step 1.2

Make a mark in the bottom left corner of the paper to

use for reference through out the process.

Step 1.3
Fold the paper in half so that the long edges are touching and crease it well.

Step 1.4

Unfold the paper revealing the newly created centerline.

2
Step 1.5
Fold the top short edge diagonally across the paper to meet the long side edge to create a diagonal
from top right to lower left.

Step 1.6

Unfold the flap created in Step

1.5, and repeat the same
process starting with the other
corner to create a diagonal
from top left to lower right.

Step 1.7

Unfold the flap created in Step 1.6, and flip the paper over so
that the mark made in Step 1.2 is no longer visible.

Notice the “X” shape the previous folds have created.

3
Step 1.8
Fold the top edge towards you
so that the “X” on the paper is
folded in half.

Step 1.9

Unfold the flap created in Step 1.8 and flip the paper over so
that the mark is once again visible in the bottom left corner.

You are now finished preparing the paper, and it is time for the glider to start taking form.
 

Phase  2:  Creating  the  Glider  Body  

This next phase of steps will guide you through turning the paper into the glider’s fuselage.

Step 2.1
Grab the top of the paper and pull it towards you as if you were repeating the fold from Step 1.8,
but this time pinch the sides in. The paper should collapse nicely as seen in the figures below. Re-
crease the folds if necessary.

4
Step 2.2
Take the top layer of the bottom right corner of the triangular region and fold it to the top as
depicted.

Step 2.3

Take the top layer of the

bottom left corner of the
triangular region and fold it
to the top in the same
fashion as in Step 2.2.

Step 2.4

Fold the newly formed

diamond region in half
from top to bottom.

With the fuselage now complete all that remains to be shaped are the wings.

5
Phase  3:  Folding  the  Wings  

This is the final phase in constructing the glider. The steps in this phase will tell you how to form
the glider’s wings.

Step 3.1
Fold the glider in half along the centerline
created in Step 1.3 such that the mark can
no longer be seen. The centerline is now
the bottom of the glider.

Note: Make sure everything is lined up squarely

before creasing it; several layers of paper are
being folded simultaneously in this step.

Step 3.2
Create the wings of the glider by making a fold approximately ¾” above the bottom of the plane,
what used to be the centerline, on both sides. Be sure to make the wings symmetrical to achieve
straight flight.

6
Step 3.3

Fold approximately ½” of the edge of each of the wings up to create

stabilization flaps.

Step 3.4
The glider is now ready for flight. Find an open area and test your new glider.

Remember: Never throw the glider near people to avoid eye gouging and other injuries.

Congratulations! You now know how to create a paper glider that can actually fly. Feel free to have
fun with it by changing the size and orientation of the wings and flaps. You just may find a
combination that turns your glider into a top rate stunt plane capable of flips, stalls, or barrel rolls.