How to Make the Simple SkyRanger Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and small, the Simple SkyRanger is a simplified derivative of the very popular SkyRanger paper airplane, meant to replace the latter. After a year of soaring on the net, I decided the little SkyRanger needed a successor, especially considering the success it had enjoyed in that year.

In designing, the Simple SkyRanger, I decided to make as few changes as possible to preserve what was found to be so successful in the original design. Focusing on that, I decided to retain the wing design, as it had granted the airplane a good compromise between speed and cruising efficiency. Because the original SkyRanger had required nose-up trim often, I decided to move the center of lift forward. To make this movement and simplify the airframe, I decided to mate the wing to the StratoMite's airframe which was similar to the original SkyRanger's fuselage but featured a single vertical stabilizer. This combination was soon tested on the prototype and found to perform well. The anhedral horizontal stabilizers were found to move the center of lift forward as hoped and the rest of the empennage provided adequate stability as well. The aircraft was cleared for publication and allotted a slot for release shortly thereafter.

TAA USAF Designation: D347-1

Required:

1 Piece of 8 by 10.5 inch graph paper

Tape
Scissors

Ruler

Pencil

Stapler

Fold your paper in half so that half a box is at the crease line. Make a mark, then measure 6 boxes back and make another mark. From this second mark, measure half a box up, three boxes behind. From this third mark, measure and mark 3 boxes upwards over 1 box backwards. One box in front of and below the last mark; then make a line stretching two boxes forward from this fifth mark. Beyond this, the pictures explain the other marks needed with less confusion. Once all is marked out, cut out the fuselage.

After the fuselage is made, take another sheet of paper that is folded in half along the lines of boxes. Mark out the wing as shown (1 box in length by 4 boxes in width, with a swept portion in front of this box of 1 box of chord eliminated every 2 boxes away from the fuselage). In addition, measure 2 boxes along the crease and 2 boxes upwards from one side and the 1 box forward. Then draw a diagonal line connecting this line the other edge of the line along the crease. This will make the horizontal stabilizers. Then cut it out.

Solid lines indicate places to cut. Dotted lines indicate fold lines.

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

Begin constructing your fuselage by folding the counterweights into the fuselage. Once they have been folded, unfold the fuselage and cut off the right vertical stabilizer. Once this is done, restore the fold. After doing this, fold the vertical stabilizer forward along the dotted line that indicates the center of what will be the slot for the horizontal stabilizers, then cut. After this cut has been made, cut away the bottom of the fuselage beneath the diagonal line near the rear of the fuselage. Following this cut, cut along the vertical line of the ventral fins. Apply tape where designated and fold the ventral fins as shown.

Cut out your Simple SkyRanger's wings and lay them beneath the fuselage. Apply tape where designated to secure them to the fuselage. Flip the airframe over and apply tape at the LERX-wing joint, as shown. After securing the wings, cut out the horizontal stabilizers. Thread them through their slit and then secure them with tape as designated. Apply one staple in the area of the counterweight. This will complete your Simple SkyRanger.

The Simple SkyRanger flies in a similar manner as its namesake and requires a similar handling at launch. Launches should be at moderate to high speed at (slightly) negative, neutral or positive attitudes. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, elevators, ailerons, spoilers, spoilerons, air brakes and trimmable rudders. Enjoy!