How to Make the SkyCub Paper Airplane

Simple, stable and reliable, the SkyCub is an excellent primary trainer for new origami aviators to practice with. The SkyCub's small design is derived from the trustworthy and reliable Harrier family, a type known for its stability and ruggedness.

I designed the SkyCub to replace the Apprentice. Like most all of its primary trainer predecessors, the Apprentice had been developed from an old flying wing design in order to enable conversions of existing airframes. For the "PT-X IV Project", I decided to try something new and develop the aircraft from an existing conventional airplane. The Harrier family proved to be the best choice for pursuit and soon a prototype SkyCub was made. In testing, it excelled. Following testing, its suitability as a primary trainer was tested and affirmed.

Given its specifications geared specifically toward new aviators, the SkyCub is a natural choice for classroom use. Its simple, safe design and operation make it an easy aircraft to use indoors. Some usages for educators could include studies of:

• Glide ratio
• Hangtime versus other aircraft
• Weight and balance

TAA USAF Designation: TA164-1

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Tape
Pencil
Scissors
Ruler

Fold your paper along its length. Then fold its corners down to the center as shown. Once this is done, flip the paper over to the "clean" side, and pull the nose back to the point at which the corner folds end on the other side.

Flip back to the "dirty" side, and pull the corners down to the center as shown. Then flip to the "clean" side, and pull what will be the nose open as shown.

Flip the paper back over to the side with the folds on it. Pull the nose down until the bottoms of the corner folds are reached. Then reverse this by pulling the nose forward until the square portion is flush with the leading edge as shown. Fold the airplane in half along its center.

Fold the wings down so the wing roots meet the top of the fuselage at the nose. Align their trailing edges to that of the fuselage to assure an angle of incidence of zero degrees. Once each wing is folded down, fold the fins as shown.

Tape your SkyCub at its front, back and nose in front of the wing root. Then tape the flaps on the underside of the fuselage.

As any primary trainer should be, the SkyCub is a paper airplane that is easy to fly. For flights of the best range at the best rate, use a toss at a medium pace at a neutral attitude. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, flaperons, elevators, ailerons, elevons, rudders, air brakes and an electronic warfare tail. Enjoy!