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Mini Staple Sailplane

by pmet on February 1, 2011

Table of Contents
Mini Staple Sailplane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intro: Mini Staple Sailplane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: Fold Paper in Half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: Draw the Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: Add the Staple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 5: Cut Out the Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 6: Fold the Wings Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 7: Add Camber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 8: Add Up Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 9: Add Dihedral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 10: Trim and Fly! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 11: Decorate the Glider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 12: Inspiration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Intro: Mini Staple Sailplane

This instructable, inspired by the proliferation of micro-sized paper airplanes, contains instructions for building a miniature sailplane out of paper and a staple. It has a
fuselage measuring 40 millimeters, a wingspan of 60 millimeters, and a height of 7 millimeters. Despite its small size, it has surprisingly good aerodynamics, which is due
to the fact that it shares similar dimensions and attributes with full-size sailplanes. This includes:
- High aspect-ratio (long and thin) wings for increased lift with less induced drag
- Slender and streamlined fuselage for less drag
- T-tail empennage/stabilizers for effective pitch and yaw stability
- Dihedral for roll stability
Due to these attributes, this small glider can glide for substantial distances, perform tight aerobatics, and even gain some altitude on thermals created from heaters.
Much effort, time, and prototyping has been done on this design to ensure that it is easy to build, easy to trim, and flies well. If there is any flaw or area that could use
improvement, do not hesitate to put recommendations in the comments section. In addition, I have designs for smaller and more complicated paper gliders, and these
can be made into instructables upon community request ;-).

Image Notes
1. These high-aspect ratio wings increase lift without creating substantial induced
drag. They are also set at a dihedral for roll stability.
2. The narrow and aerodynamic fuselage reduces drag.
3. The T-tail empennage creates pitch and yaw stability. It also protects the
horizontal stabilizer from being damaged or knocked out of trim.

Step 1: Materials
1) Paper
- Most paper or post-its will work.
- The piece should be at least 4x6 centimeters.
- The piece should also have about the same thickness and weight of computer paper.
2) Stapler
- Use standard staples. They are approximately 1.5 centimeters in length.
3) Scissors
- Use a small, sharp pair.
4) Metric Ruler
- Small, clear rulers work the best for this project.
5) Pencil
- Mechanical pencils or a well-sharpened wood pencil is ideal.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Image Notes
1. Paper. Post-it Notes will be used for this instructable for aesthetic reasons, but most pieces of scrap paper will work equally as well.
2. Stapler. Make sure it uses standard staples.
3. Metric Ruler.
4. Small, sharp scissors.
5. Pencil.

Step 2: Fold Paper in Half

Fold the piece of paper you will be using in half. If you are using a Post-it Note, fold the two sticky sides together. This will hold the sides steady during the next steps.

Image Notes
1. Fold the sticky sides inward. This will hold the two sides together.

Step 3: Draw the Design

Draw the design onto the piece of paper using the template provided. Make sure to be as accurate as possible and ensure that bottom of the fuselage is touching the
folded side of the paper. Also make sure NOT to draw the design over the sticky portions of the Post-it Note if you are using one. The dashed lines indicate
folds. CameronSS has created a PDF of the plan that can be printed out and attached to the sheet of paper being used. Thanks again, CameronSS!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Image Notes
1. The bottom of the design should be flush with the fold on the paper.

File Downloads

FSHITGLGJQEFEU8.pdf (1 KB)
[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'FSHITGLGJQEFEU8.pdf']

Step 4: Add the Staple

Carefully add the staple to the design as indicated. The staple functions as a nose ballast to shift the aircraft's center of gravity forward. Make sure it is centered in the
space provided. If not, remove it and insert another staple in the correct position. It is recommended to test the stapler on scrap paper to determine the exact location of
the staples.

Image Notes
1. Ensure that the staple is centered.

Step 5: Cut Out the Design

Carefully cut out the design. Ensure not to slice off the wings, cut too deep, or leave excess paper on the cutout. Also, it is important to make sure that the paper is
perfectly flat to ensure symmetry of both sides. Any folds or curves on either side will result in an asymmetrical glider that will not fly. Discard the excess paper.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Step 6: Fold the Wings Down

Fold the wings down as indicated by the dashed lines. Again, be as accurate as possible.

Step 7: Add Camber

In order for the glider to fly well, you must add camber. Camber creates Bernoullian lift (lift formed by the pressure difference between the top and bottom of the wings) as
well as strengthening the wings. Pinch the leading edge and the trailing edge of the wings to add camber. The max camber should be about half of a millimeter and be
located halfway across the chord of the wing (NACA 7500). Make sure to apply the same camber for the entire wingspan.

Image Notes
1. Curve the wing upward without folding it. This curvature is approximately 1/2 millimeter of camber.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Step 8: Add Up Elevator

This next step is extremely important in ensuring that the glider will fly. Bend the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer about one-fourth of a millimeter higher than the
leading edge. This produces a positive angle of attack that points the wings upward in relation to the air around it. It is this angle between the wings and the "relative
wind" that produces the majority of lift, and without it, the glider will not fly. The measurement is only approximate as you will have to adjust it later on.

Image Notes
1. Be careful not to fold the horizontal stabilizer.

Step 9: Add Dihedral

Bend both wings upward until the wingtips are even with the top of the vertical stabilizer. Make sure both wings have the same dihedral and that the camber was applied
evenly. In addition, ensure even up-elevator on the horizontal stabilizer and that the fuselage and the vertical stabilizer are straight and without warps.

Image Notes
1. The tips should be as high as the vertical stabilizer. Also make sure that the
wings are evenly cambered, the horizontal stabilizers have the same up elevator,
and the fuselage and vertical stabilizers are not warped.

Image Notes
1. Picture taken before adding camber, up elevator, and dihedral.

Step 10: Trim and Fly!

Now its time to enjoy your hard work! Grab your glider by the fuselage and give it a very light toss. Note the direction of flight. If the glider dives, add more up elevator and
decrease the dihedral. If the glider pulls up and stalls, decrease the up elevator and increase the dihedral. If the glider curves or spirals in one direction, curl the vertical
stabilizer opposite to the direction it turns. If it still spirals, reduce the dihedral of the main wing. Keep repeating the process until the glider flies in the desired direction. If
you need help, watch the videos below.
Youtube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e--ra5zWHgA

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Step 11: Decorate the Glider

To turn the glider into a scale model of a real-life sailplane, draw details on the glider, such as a canopy, wingtip stripes, and tail numbers using permanent marker and/or
pens. For working control surfaces, cut slits into the wings and outline with a pen. These can be used to trim the glider or perform aerobatics. When adding details, be
careful not to add too much weight or alter the shape of the glider substantially. A detailed glider always looks better when it flies :-).

Step 12: Inspiration

This instructable was inspired by many of the micro paper airplane designs on instructables and the internet. Here is a list of great miniature paper airplanes that I would
like to give credit to:
Instructables:
How To Make The Scout Paper Airplane
by Origami Air Enforcer
- Interesting design with an elevated wing for enhanced maneuverability.
How To Make The Tomahawk Paper Airplane
by Origami Air Enforces
- More rugged version of the Scout. Has inverted vertical stabilizers that double as landing skids.
Mini Glider
by DhanushkaYT
- Another great design for a small paper glider. Has sailplane elements, but uses a V-tail.
Micro (or Mini) Aircraft
by rimar2000
- Perhaps the smallest paper glider on Instructables.
Websites:
Northern Stripe's Micro Paper Plane Site
- This is a Japanese site with some incredible glider and rubber-band planes. A must see!
Post-it Note Paper Airplane
- Small and simple design that uses a Post-it Note.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Taoistflyer's Sub Micro Paper Airplanes

- Taoistflyer has created some excellent scale paper aircraft that look great and fly even better.

Image Notes
1. Taoistflyer's enormous collection of scale paper gliders can be downloaded and printed from his Youtube page.
2. That is a micro paper plane! Hats off to Taoistflyer!

Related Instructables

Mini Staple
Cessna-172 by
pmet

Micro (or mini)

aircraft by
rimar2000

paper airplane
glider by lieuwe

Long Distance
Paper Glider by
sbrown

Glider Plane by
Kapower

Paper Airplane
Glider by L815

Comments
50 comments Add Comment

lou1458 says:

view all 103 comments

Mar 13, 2011. 11:06 AM REPLY

Concur with the wingtip post below. I'd say 50% better range and stability. Cut's down on the tendency to loop or spiral.

pmet says:

Mar 13, 2011. 6:49 PM REPLY

I've also tried the wingtips and have had good results. I'll try to incorporate wingtips in future models.

Annaaziza says:

Mar 6, 2011. 12:21 PM REPLY

Yaaaah! I made one, threw it, and it landed, then CHOMP! My dog got it! :( O well, I will just go make another 1

pmet says:

Mar 13, 2011. 6:48 PM REPLY

Haha yeah dogs seem to like these things :)

n3rdd says:
I'd just like to make a quick request if that's ok.
Just wondering if you could make a PDF like the one in step 3, but with multiple planes on the page so I can save paper.
I'd also like to know what software you used to make that PDF. Thanks :)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Mar 4, 2011. 6:24 PM REPLY

pmet says:

Mar 4, 2011. 7:47 PM REPLY

I didn't make the PDF, CameronSS did. He was nice enough to give it to me so that I could put it in the instructable. He used a program called DraftSight
from Dassault Systems. For the diagram in this instructable, I used microsoft word. I'll try to get a PDF with more planes per page asap.

n3rdd says:

Mar 8, 2011. 1:41 AM REPLY

Thanks. And thank's for telling me about draftsight, it looks like a useful free program.

simonfman says:

Feb 23, 2011. 6:26 AM REPLY

does the size of the plane/weight ave anything to do with how long it stays in the air? when i printed the template it was (estimated) 3 times the size of the
one you made so i put it together and it flies long, slow and straight but it seems like it looses altitude faster than it should. maybe i'm crazy? is the
size/weight keeping it down?

pmet says:

Feb 24, 2011. 8:56 AM REPLY

Truth is, I dunno. According to my aerodynamics textbook, weight has no impact on the glide distance and glide ratio of a glider, so being heavy is not an
issue. The only thing that weight affects is the glide speed, i.e., the lighter the glider, the slower and longer it flies. If your bigger glider was made out of
the paper specified in the instructable, then it should be proportionately lighter than a glider made to the dimensions of the instructable. This probably
explains why you observed your glider flying long and slow. Perhaps your bigger glider is creating too much drag, which is a huge factor for the gliding
ratio. Another possible reason for the steep loss in altitude is too much up elevator. Too much up elevator creates too much angle of attack which creates
excessive induced drag. Try reducing the up elevator on your bigger glider, and try build gliders of different dimensions to better understand whether size
has a significant impact on glide ratio. Sorry for going on a geeky ramble and hope this helps :-).

A flyin muffin says:

Feb 20, 2011. 3:01 PM REPLY

This is by far my favorite mini paper glider. It flies more level and goes farther than any other plane that I have made. If your plane's wings tilt from side to
side, then increasing the angle of the wings should get it to fly level.

pmet says:

Feb 23, 2011. 3:39 AM REPLY

Very happy you liked it! Be careful not to increase the dihedral/angle of the wings too much, otherwise the glider could start spinning.

FrozenIce says:

Feb 9, 2011. 10:29 AM REPLY

u can also try curling the wing the end of a pencil, and some people call it airfoil

pmet says:

Feb 9, 2011. 8:35 PM REPLY

Camber is an airfoil's curvature that is responsible for producing Bernoullian lift. You are correct to say that this step can be called "create an airfoil", but
saying "add camber" is much more specific. There are airfoils that have zero mean camber, and these "symmetrical airfoils" would have not worked as
well as the cambered airfoil on this glider.
I've included the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) four-digit designation for the airfoil on this particular glider. The first digit, 7,
means that the max camber is 7% of the chord length. The second digit, 5, means that the point of max camber is located at the 50% chord position from
the leading edge. The two zeroes at the end mean that the airfoil has almost no thickness.
I do like the idea of using the pencil to create the curvature, and I will definitely include it in future instructables.

FrozenIce says:

Feb 12, 2011. 10:21 AM REPLY

Dont u mean NASA?

OrigamiAirEnforcer says:

Feb 12, 2011. 10:38 AM REPLY

No. NACA is the correct authority in this case. :)

FrozenIce says:

Feb 12, 2011. 11:01 AM REPLY

ooooooo thats new :)

OrigamiAirEnforcer says:

Feb 12, 2011. 11:12 AM REPLY

Actually NACA isn't. It was founded in 1915. :O

FrozenIce says:
for me anyway

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Feb 12, 2011. 11:50 AM REPLY

pmet says:

Feb 12, 2011. 1:12 PM REPLY

NACA stands for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA, which stands for National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, was actually created from NACA when the space program began. Hope that answers your question!

Revan_Taros says:

Feb 10, 2011. 7:41 PM REPLY

I thought camber was the angle the wheels sit at on manual wheelchairs.

pmet says:

Feb 10, 2011. 11:16 PM REPLY

Camber refers to a multitude of angles and curvatures. In aerodynamic terms, it is referring to the curvature of a airfoil. In ground vehicles,
camber refers to the vertical angle of the wheels in relation to the ground or vehicle body. An outward camber for racing cars gives them
increased stability and gripping ability. It is for these same reasons that wheelchairs have wheels with outward camber.

Revan_Taros says:

Feb 10, 2011. 11:29 PM REPLY

ok... that makes sense then.

Carlito7 says:

Feb 11, 2011. 11:08 PM REPLY

Just when I got mine tweaked it flew into a spiderweb and lay suspended in the web. the daddylongleg was crawling all over it. LOL

pmet says:

Feb 11, 2011. 11:14 PM REPLY

Poor spider :D

IamTheMomo says:

Feb 3, 2011. 11:54 AM REPLY

What fun! I'd love to see all your planes! I need activities to do with my grandson when he comes to visit, and just like his grandmother, he loves airplanes!
Until he gets, here, I'm going to practice.......hee, hee!

pmet says:

Feb 3, 2011. 11:08 PM REPLY

Glad you like it! I'll definitely be putting up more glider designs for you and your grandson. Do you have any particular aircraft that you would like me to
put on paper?

IamTheMomo says:

Feb 4, 2011. 7:51 PM REPLY

Well, gee, I wrote a reply, hit the button and it all disappeared. So, here goes again. I admire the A-10 tremendously. She's the plane that the military
just can't get rid of because she's just too good. They call her a warthog, but beauty is as beauty does, and that makes her a real beauty. I also have
a soft spot for the old birds I learned in - the Cessna 150, 172, and 182. It would be great to show some to my grandbabe. I will look forward to seeing
more of your planes; I'm really going to enjoy building them, too! Thanks!

pmet says:

Feb 5, 2011. 12:34 AM REPLY

In the meantime, check out this micro paper A-10 by Taoistflyer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YUAgKlwcRM

IamTheMomo says:

Feb 5, 2011. 4:53 AM REPLY

Your wife is going to kill you when she discovers you are using her Gingher applique scissors, my friend. Whew. You are in deep now. I
downloaded the A-10, though - thanks! Cool!

pmet says:

Feb 5, 2011. 10:59 AM REPLY

Haha I think you are mistaken. I didn't design that A-10, Taoistflyer did. This is something I found on the internet while researching paper
A-10 designs. But still, I'm glad you like it, and I think you should give your thanks to the real author. Here is his Youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/taoistflyer?blend=2&ob=1

IamTheMomo says:

Feb 5, 2011. 11:17 AM REPLY

You are quite right (hanging my head), and taoistflyer is nothing short of amazing. I did score that A-10! Have you seen his
HexSpider? Wow.....

pmet says:
Just finished another glider! Hope you and your grandson enjoy it!
Mini Paper C-172

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

Feb 11, 2011. 9:53 PM REPLY

pmet says:

Feb 5, 2011. 12:23 AM REPLY

Great timing! I am finishing an Instructable on a very particular general aviation aircraft. We all have soft spots for the aircraft we learned to fly in,
and it is for this reason that I'm working on making a paper Cessna 172! I'll also see if I can design a paper A-10 in time for your grandson's visit
:-).

HuLkArUn says:

Feb 11, 2011. 2:08 AM REPLY

its a showcase one..........!

pmet says:

Feb 11, 2011. 11:15 AM REPLY

Thanks!

FrozenIce says:

Feb 9, 2011. 10:35 AM REPLY

How could u possibly hold the camera and throw the sailplane at the same time! its impossible

pmet says:

Feb 9, 2011. 8:36 PM REPLY

It took many tries, believe me :D

FrozenIce says:

Feb 9, 2011. 10:24 AM REPLY

Hey, can u plz post an instructable for an even smaller one? That would be awsome! i realy like this stuff and i made some that where similar but bigger and
the fuselage was a safety match :) keep it up

pmet says:

Feb 9, 2011. 8:12 PM REPLY

Will do, will do! I'm working on another glider at the moment, but after I'm finished with that I'll get to work on an Instructable for a smaller paper plane.

Rizhal_99 says:

Feb 9, 2011. 7:08 PM REPLY

Thank you..!!!..

pmet says:

Feb 9, 2011. 8:06 PM REPLY

Glad you liked it :)

FrozenIce says:

Feb 9, 2011. 10:39 AM REPLY

warning to all who will decorate this: do NOT color the entire thing! It will be to floopy and unsturdy to fly

St Jimmy says:

Feb 6, 2011. 7:19 PM REPLY

Is the 15mm measurement at the front to the start of the arc, or the very front of the plane?

pmet says:

Feb 6, 2011. 7:22 PM REPLY

The very front of the arc. If it helps draw the nose as a rectangle and then add the arc afterwards.

St Jimmy says:

Feb 7, 2011. 12:05 AM REPLY

Also, if I multiply the dimensions by 2 (my brother insists, although I know most of the charm is in the minitureality, if that's a word), do I just put 2
staples on, or do I have to apply some mathematique?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/

St Jimmy says:

Feb 6, 2011. 11:49 PM REPLY

Yeah, I kinda did this step before the previous one, so I screwed the plane up

gnomedriver says:

Feb 5, 2011. 5:49 PM REPLY

There are times when people should not make new discoveries but I discovered this instructable. What I have been doing sits on top of what I planned to do.
I use Postit-notes to bookmark the pages I am researching but now they have been turned into weapons of mass distraction.

St Jimmy says:

Feb 6, 2011. 7:15 PM REPLY

Hooray for NZ! And being distracted!

pmet says:

Feb 6, 2011. 2:21 PM REPLY

I know that experience all too well... this Instructable was a giant procrastination for my aerodynamics homework. I dunno whether I should say "thanks,
I'm glad I enjoyed your Instructable," or "I'm terribly sorry for removing you from you valuable studies," but what I do know what to say is that those swept
wing gliders look SICK AWESOME! In fact, I think I think I'll put my weather homework on hold to make some right now... :-)

gnomedriver says:

Feb 6, 2011. 8:44 PM REPLY

I had a great time making them, pmet. Simple as these gliders are, there is so much scope for experimenting.
Change this, adjust that and the next thing an hour has gone by. I tried to launch one with a catapult - rubber band and ruler.
Great instructable pmet! Total fun.

view all 103 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-Staple-Sailplane/