Question

For one percentage point on your final course grade, submit via email to me before 11:59 pm on Friday 12/7 a (MS Word or PDF attachment) set of instructions on how to fold and fly a paper airplane. Your instructions must have a title, an introduction, lists of tools and materials needed, at least 10 steps, and a conclusion. Include warnings or caution statements as needed, and when useful to the audience, include graphics for reference. Your instructions should all fit on one to two pages and should be designed to be visually appealing to your audience. In your email to me, include a brief description of your target audience (children? adults?). Be specific in your description.

Answer 1

The Bulldog Dart

This paper airplane is a warm-up of sorts. It’s simple, requires few folds, and flies well. It’s just not going to win you any contests or style points. If it’s your kid’s first time making a real paper airplane, this is a good place to start.

First you fold the paper in half lengthwise, and then unfold. This initial crease is simply a guideline for the next folds.

Fold the top two corners down so they meet the center crease. This is the classic way to start a paper airplane, and probably what you first learned as a kid.

Flip the plane over, and fold the corners in again to the center crease. You want the diagonal line coming off the top of the plane (on the left side) to be lined up with the middle (like on the right side).

After both folds are completed.

Fold the top point down so that the tip meets the bottom of where the previous folds come together.

Fold the entire plane in half, in on itself. This creates the snub nose, which gives the Bulldog Dart its name.

Fold the wings down so that you’re making a straight line across from the top of the snub nose. Repeat on the other side.

The finished Bulldog Dart. This flies better when thrown at lower speeds. Your tendency is to launch it, but the heavy nose will just fly it into the ground. Give it a softer throw and you’ll have better luck.

The target audience for the given airplane will be children and adults both.