The
Great Paper Airplane Contest
Rules,
Hints and Resources
RULES
- Parental supervision
is a must. Unless the participant is old enough to fly solo to
the library, a parent must accompany the pilot. Library staff will
be busy organizing the contest and will not be able to assist in the
construction of the aircraft. Plus, we're not very good at it.
- Venue and Ground
Rules: The planes will be launched into the art gallery. If a plane gets stuck in the lights, the pilot will get a do–over.
- Equipment: All
planes must be made from standard 8 ½” by 11”
paper. More than one sheet may be used, or the sheet may be cut.
Tape may be used solely for structural integrity purposes. If, in
the opinion of the supervising librarian, tape is primarily used for
weight distribution, that craft will be disqualified. Paper clips
are not allowed. More than one airplane can be entered by a single
contestant provided they are of significantly different design.
- Procedure:
Prior to their flight, contestants will be required to write their
first and last name on a post-it. Each class will have its own
color. The post-it will be used to mark the furthest extent of the
flight. If a contestant has more than one design, he or she should
also put the name of the design on the post-it as well. Pilots will
have one turn at the launching area, although this may be modified
depending on attendance. No artificial launching aids, such as
rubber bands, slingshots, or steam catapults will be allowed.
HINTS
Read about paper
airplanes. Be like the Wright brothers and try out many different
designs. Experiment with different designs and different launching
techniques. Should your wings tilt up or down? Should you throw the
plane softly or forcefully? Examine the Oresman Gallery and think
about what type of plane would fly well there. Remember, there are
no do-overs unless the plane gets stuck in the lights. And
remember--- the more you practice, the better your plane will fly.
GREAT PAPER AIRPLANE
BOOKS
The following titles are owned by the Larchmont Library.
There are scores of others in the system, and you can put them on
hold.
- Boursin, Didier.
Origami Paper Airplanes. Children's non-fiction, J 745.59 B.
- Collins, John.
Fantastic Flight: Freestyle Fold and Fly Paper Airplanes.
Adult non-fiction, 745.592 C
- Laux, Keith. The
World's Greatest Paper Airplane and Toy Book. Children's
non-fiction, J 745.59 L.
- Morris, Campbell. The
Best Paper Aircraft: New and Expanded. In the non-fiction
section, 745.592 M.
- Robinson, Nick. Super
Simple Paper Airplanes. Children's non-fiction, J 629.13 R.
- Schmidt, Norman. Best
Ever Paper Airplanes. Children's non-fiction, J 745.59 S.
WEBSITES
There are
are reams of paper airplane sites on the Internet. A few are listed
below.
