Fun for when you're just sitting around doing nothing...

This paper airplane design, when thrown right, will make about a 7-foot circle in any direction and return to you.

Give it a try - it really works!
(If it doesn't quite work for you, refer to the notes below.)



Construction Instructions:


There are two ways to throw it:

1. Sideam - grip the plane like you normally would, but instead of throwing it overhand, throw it sideways - almost perpendicular to the ground, but tilted slightly. This is good for throwing to the right (if you are right handed) and can also be thrown to the left, with practice.


2. Reverse Grip - grip the plan 180 degress opposite how you usually would. The effect is when you hold your hand in a normal position, the nose points up. With this grip, you can throw it in almost any direction, and it will return.



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Tips & Tricks

• Grip it the middle, a little above where the nose-fold comes back to a point (too far forward will make it swoop).
  
• It seems to make a lot of difference if the creases are sharp. After a while, it will start to get a little worn - recrease the folds and it will add new life to it.
  
• When you throw it, if you try to pull your hand away from the plane slightly, so that there is pressure against the wings, it will fly a little more steadily.
  
• Bend the wings up slightly to make it go in a wider circle, and vice-versa.
  
• It works well with the stabilizers straight up and the flaps at 45 degrees. But sometimes you can fine tune it a little. For example, if you tilt both stabilizers to the left, then it will generally make the circle tighter.
  
• Eventually, after enough flights and damage, it will be worn out and won't fly well. Time to make another, and give the old one to the cat - cat's love these things :)