How to Make the Aerowing Paper Airplane

Fast, long range and stealthy, the Aerowing is an aerodynamic "flying wing" paper airplane meant as a lighter, simpler complement to the Omniwing Swift. The Aerowing is designed to be an introductory flying wing for origami aviators to begin with before moving on to larger, more complex types like the Omniwing Swift and Omniwing Zeta.

The Aerowing was developed by myself in Spring 2017 as a replacement for the Turbo OmniStreak and other similar Proto-Omniwing derivatives, as those aircraft have become substantially different than the aircraft they lead into. In addition, the Aerowing's design was also done with the idea of making it comparable in shape to the original Omniwing and Paperang aircraft.

A short design period ensued, with the goal of simplicity leading to completion quickly. Flight testing of the Aerowing showed the aircraft to be stable with good glide characteristics.

TAA USAF Designation: F430-1

Required:
4 Pieces of 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper

1 Post-It (3 inch by 3 inch)

Tape

Scissors

Ruler

Pencil

Fold the paper in half along its width, then pull the corners into the center on each side. After doing this, open the paper flat. Pull the tip of the nose backward to the rear edges of the folds and crease.

Pull the diagonal leading edge backward between the outboard rear edge of the folds and the center crease on each side.

Along the wingtips, measure 1.5 inches forward of the trailing edges and make marks on each side. Along the center crease, measure 2.5 inches forward of the trailing edges and make a mark.

Connect these three marks with lines that connect in the center, as shown in the third and fourth photographs.

Unfold the leading edge folds until they appear as they do in the second photograph.

With those nose folds out of the way, pull the innermost portions forward as shown in the third photograph. Pull the outer edges of these flaps back inward, align them over their own creases and make new creases to keep them in this position. After doing this, fold the flaps back down onto the sheet.

Pull the tip of the nose back toward the trailing edge. Pull the tip of the nose forward again until the diagonal edges reach the rear edges of the leading edge folds as shown in the seventh photograph. After creasing at this point, reverse the fold and tuck the new triangle beneath the flaps as shown in the eighth photograph.

Restoring the existent folds, pull the forward two diagonal flaps backward as shown in the ninth photograph. Pull the portions of these folds that go farther than what is beneath them forward again and crease. After you have done this, unfold the paper as shown in the eleventh photograph. Reverse the folds and tuck them in under the existent leading edge folds. This will complete the leading edges.

Folding the paper in half, cut along the solid diagonal line you made earlier. Retain the piece you cut away.

Using the paper you kept after trimming it away from the aircraft in the previous step, we will make the spar which will strengthen and balance the aircraft.

Pull the outer edges inward on each side as shown in the second and third photographs. Then pull the tip of the long angled side back to the long flat side as shown in the fourth and fifth photographs. Pull the top edge backward again to halve the paper once more.

After making the directed folds, measure 0.75 inches from side along the long, folded edge and make a mark. Measure 0.375 inches from the folded side along the short edge and make a mark. Connect the two marks with a diagonal line. Repeat these measurements reversed for the opposite side.

Tape along the open edge and then cut off the portions of paper beyond the diagonal lines.

Slide the spar into the leading edge folds. Align the center crease of the spar and position it to sit over top of the center creases beneath. When the spar is positioned correctly, it should appear as it does in the second photograph.

Apply tape in the designated spots and order as shown in the photographs. When you have done all of the necessary taping, the airframe is almost completed.

With the adhesive area of the Post-It facing toward you, measure the 3 inch Post-It and make a mark at every inch. From each of these marks, measure 0.75 inches inward before stopping. Make a perpendicular like that connects these lines. Above the previous lines make two lines 1 inch above the perpendicular line directly above the lines below the intersecting one. Make a second perpendicular line above the new 1 inch lines. (Photographs 1 to 5)

Along the second perpendicular line, measure 0.75 inches outwards on each side from the left line and make a mark. From each of these marks, make a diagonal line connecting the mark to the edges of the same cell its in. Cut the fins apart from one another along the vertical line.

To prepare all stabilizers for mounting, fold them at the perpendicular line closest to their adhesive.

Along the trailing edges of the airframe, measure 2.5 inches inward from the wingtips on each side and make marks. With the adhesive base positioned inboard, place the stabilizers at the wingtip--lined up with the edges of the wing, with the base overhanging as it may.

Flip the airframe over and allow the stabilizers to lay out from underneath it as shown in the fifth and sixth photographs. Cut away the excess of the bases.

Flip the airframe over again and make the stabilizers line up over top of the marks you made before. Make the fins perpendicular to the wing surface as shown. Once you have positioned them as you have in the eleventh photograph, you have finished the aircraft.

The Aerowing is a lightweight flying wing paper airplane; as a result of these things, it is nimble but also more subject to the wind than heavier aircraft. It is best suited for fairly calm environments. .

Launches should be done at neutral or very slightly negative or positive attitudes at low to moderate speed. To launch the Aerowing, hold it with all fingers above the wing and only your thumb beneath it. Do not throw the airplane; instead, advance it forward until releasing it at the desired speed. Conduct test flights to understand the behavior of your Aerowing. If yaw stability needs correction, adjust the vertical stabilizers' trimming. If roll stability needs correction, you may adjust the wings' trailing edges to counter undesired rolling.

Enjoy!