Different Designs Affect the Distance of a
Paper Airplane?
BRP1 TASK 1
Western Governors University NATURAL
SCIENCE LAB – C683
Section I: Introduction and Literature Review
A. Most people at some point in their lives have built a paper airplane, whether it be just for
fun or as part of a competition. Paper airplanes are a fast and fun thing to make, and we
have at some point imagined ourselves flying people to their destination or even being
pilots in pretend war play. As we got older, we experimented with different types of
designs, and paper and even added additional materials to get our airplane to travel
farther. In the past, I have even entered a paper airplane competition at work, in which the
winner got a $10 gift card.
Did you know that the farthest paper airplane throw was recorded back on February 2012
by the Guinness World Records? In an article published on February 29th, 2012, former
American Football quarterback Joe Ayoob, is said to have made a throw measuring 69.14
meters (approximately 226 ft 10 in) (guinnesworldrecords.com)
During my research, I found out that knowing some “Physics can come in handy when
designing the craft.” (JACO Aerospace & Industrial). There are also other factors that we
must take into consideration. According to JACO Aerospace & Industrial website, “there
, are various different designs which each cause the place to fly differently.” The
aerodynamics of the design of the paper plane can determine the distance it will travel.
Other factors I will have to keep in mind are the location, wind, and obstacles. Any of
these can affect the distance the planes will travel. For my experiment, I’m going to try
three different designs of planes, varying from easy to hard and my location will be
indoors where the constantly changing wind from the outside will not interfere.
Section II: Hypothesis
B. For my hypothesis, I predict that the Basic Dart design (easiest) will fly the farthest as it
has the sleekest and least weight fluctuation out of the three.
C. I’m determining my hypothesis after reviewing the design and how the weight
distribution changes with each design. Although the planes are made with only one sheet
of paper, at first hand, it feels like there will be a slight weight change. I will confirm or
deny this after I weigh the planes after being built and annotate it in my measurements.
Section III: Methods
D. Independent Variable: The independent variable is the folding style of the paper
airplanes. The folds used can affect the aerodynamics of the planes affecting the distance.
Each plane will have a different number of folds, giving each plane a different design.
Each plane will range from Easy, Medium, and Hard levels.
Paper Airplane?
BRP1 TASK 1
Western Governors University NATURAL
SCIENCE LAB – C683
Section I: Introduction and Literature Review
A. Most people at some point in their lives have built a paper airplane, whether it be just for
fun or as part of a competition. Paper airplanes are a fast and fun thing to make, and we
have at some point imagined ourselves flying people to their destination or even being
pilots in pretend war play. As we got older, we experimented with different types of
designs, and paper and even added additional materials to get our airplane to travel
farther. In the past, I have even entered a paper airplane competition at work, in which the
winner got a $10 gift card.
Did you know that the farthest paper airplane throw was recorded back on February 2012
by the Guinness World Records? In an article published on February 29th, 2012, former
American Football quarterback Joe Ayoob, is said to have made a throw measuring 69.14
meters (approximately 226 ft 10 in) (guinnesworldrecords.com)
During my research, I found out that knowing some “Physics can come in handy when
designing the craft.” (JACO Aerospace & Industrial). There are also other factors that we
must take into consideration. According to JACO Aerospace & Industrial website, “there
, are various different designs which each cause the place to fly differently.” The
aerodynamics of the design of the paper plane can determine the distance it will travel.
Other factors I will have to keep in mind are the location, wind, and obstacles. Any of
these can affect the distance the planes will travel. For my experiment, I’m going to try
three different designs of planes, varying from easy to hard and my location will be
indoors where the constantly changing wind from the outside will not interfere.
Section II: Hypothesis
B. For my hypothesis, I predict that the Basic Dart design (easiest) will fly the farthest as it
has the sleekest and least weight fluctuation out of the three.
C. I’m determining my hypothesis after reviewing the design and how the weight
distribution changes with each design. Although the planes are made with only one sheet
of paper, at first hand, it feels like there will be a slight weight change. I will confirm or
deny this after I weigh the planes after being built and annotate it in my measurements.
Section III: Methods
D. Independent Variable: The independent variable is the folding style of the paper
airplanes. The folds used can affect the aerodynamics of the planes affecting the distance.
Each plane will have a different number of folds, giving each plane a different design.
Each plane will range from Easy, Medium, and Hard levels.
