How to Make the Super Skynaut Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and sleek, the Super Skynaut is a simple, aerodynamic "drone cruiser" paper airplane. The namesake of this airplane is the original Skynaut, which was the second and (previously) last "butterfly" tail design, unveiled in 2011. I felt after two years, I ought to work with the configuration again.

Because the design was intended to be simple, the development period was short. The fuselage, while not directly based on any other design's, drew design concepts from other more recent designs like the StratoCruiser and Turbo StratoDragon. The tapered, high-aspect ratio wing fitted was chosen to give the new aircraft better performance that the antiquated constant chord arrangement present on the original Skynaut. Likewise, the stabilizers and fuselage underwent similar alterations. Flight testing went well and the aircraft was almost immediately declared a success worthy of publication--as well as having upheld the legacy of the Skynaut.

TAA USAF Designation: D312-1

First, begin by folding your your graph paper in half (excluding three boxes on the perforated side). Once the paper has been folded appropriately, make two marks--10 full boxes apart (allow for a further box back behind the airframe). Use a ruler to make a straight line with the length of 10 boxes directly up 1 row of boxes from the two marks you just made. Then make the stabilizers, spars and counterweight as shown. Make the diagonal line on the ventral fuselage as shown and follow all photograph markings.

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 (3 boxes in length at the fuselage, with chord decaying 1 box every 6 boxes outwards and 6 boxes in width).

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

Note: 1 box = 0.25 inches

Cut out your fuselage and fold the counterweight into the fuselage. Fold down the spars and stabilizers. Once this is done, unfold down the spars and stabilizers. Then apply tape where designated.

Cut out and unfold your Super Skynaut's wings. Once this is done, align the airframe with the wing and secure the wings to the spars with tape. Apply one staple in the area of the counterweight folds, and apply tape to the leading edge of the wing at its intersection with the LERX. This will complete your aircraft.

The Super Skynaut is a simple paper airplane and handles with great docility. Launches should be done at moderate speed at negative or neutral attitude. The angle between the stabilizers should never exceed 90 degrees, but can be adjusted down to as few as 50 degrees. Test flights should be conducted to verify and maintain the angle of the stabilizers. Additional applicable surfaces include slats, flaps, flaperons, elevators, ailerons, spoilers, spoilerons, air brakes and a trimmable rudder. Enjoy!