How to Make the StratoDagger Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and simple, the StratoDagger is an easy-to-make and capable paper airplane suitable for all origami aviators. Its combination of simplicity and performance make it an excellent choice.

The StratoDagger was designed as a replacement for Paper Artland's Spirit Dragon paper airplane, in response to a viewer request. Having previously analyzed the latter aircraft for myself (and even going as far as making design modifications), I remembered it as good performing but prone to damage. To address this shortcoming, I decided the Spirit Dragon's replacement would have a blunt nose and wings with an angle of incidence of zero degrees; to improve performance further, I also aimed for lower wing loading. The time taken to design the StratoDagger was fairly short, as the design was based largely on the HelioVulcan, with the configuration modeled after that of the Turbo Dagger. The prototype was quickly made and soon entered testing. During flight trials, the aircraft was shown to be fast, stable and able. As a result of these positive results, I approved of its publication.

TAA USAF Designation: F336-1

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch paper

Tape

Ruler

Pencil

Optional:

Scissors (additional surfaces only)

Fold your paper in half length-wise. Then pull the paper down so that the crease stretches from the fold at the front you just made and the corner of the paper on the other side. Repeat on the other side. Pull the edge of this layer back toward the crease on each side and then open these folds. Fold the edges into the creases as shown, the pull the creases of these corner folds into themselves as shown.

Fold the previous folds along the existing creases as shown, then pull the overhanging paper back away from the center crease. Repeat on the other side. Pull the tip of the nose back until its tips meet the apex of the diamond; then tuck the edges of the paper underneath the other layers as shown.

Fold down the canards whilst keeping their leading edges aligned with the nose to maintain an angle of incidence of zero degrees. At the trailing edge, make marks 1 inch from the center crease and 1 inch from the wingtips along the trailing edge of the wing. Following this, fold down the wings at the mark you made previously. Align the trailing edges of the wings with that of the fuselage to keep the angle of incidence at zero degrees. After this is finished, fold the wingtips down at the marks you made previously.

Apply tape to the nose above and below the canard, across the wing root near the rear of the aircraft and along the trailing edge of the fuselage, as well as the canard and airfoil flaps.

The StratoDagger flies similar to other dart paper airplanes; anyone familiar with the Vulcan
family should have little difficulty transitioning to this type. Launches should be done at neutral or positive attitude at moderate to high speed. Additional applicable surfaces include flaps, elevators, ailerons, flaperons, elevons, rudders, air brakes, canard trim and an "electronic warfare" tail. Enjoy!