FJ Glider - Paper Airplane

This is what I call the FJ Glider! It is an original paper airplane I designed when I was in elementary. I designed it to compete in the paperairplane competition in my art class. The goal was to throw paper airplanes into large trash cans placed in their sides like a goal. I was very upset that the winning teams had airplanes that looked more like darts. they would have behaved the same with or without air. So, I was determined to create a paper airplane that not only could fly, but that could also be extremely accurate while gliding/flying. After days and hours of folding, trial and error, and researching other paper airplanes, I was at my whit's end. I folded one last airplane. That airplane is what I call the FJ Glider, and it might just be one of the best paper airplane gliders.

At least one 8.5in x 11in sheet of letter paper

Flat and firm folding surface (table, desk, etc.)

Fingernail, or credit card

The Youtube folding instruction video

To make the folds tight, you can see that I run my fingernail along the fold edge while applying pressure. A credit card or somthing similar could also be used to tighten the folds.

The wing size has a significant impact on flight characteristics. For maximum gliding distance make the wings bigger. For maximizing speed, make the wings smaller. The video shows a standard sized wing that focused on gliding.

A good gauge for wing size is the first hamburger fold line, highlighted in the pictuer. If it is not visible, that means you have small wings. If more than is pictured is visible you have big wings.