PALPaper Airplane Lab
The Experimental Glider finished shape

Folding guide

The Experimental Glider

The Experimental Glider is intentionally simple so you can modify it. Add tape ballast, change dihedral, or alter elevators and compare flights.

Difficulty: MediumTime: 6 minutesGlider
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Step 1 of 5

How to Fold a The Experimental Glider Paper Airplane

Base crease

Step 1

Base crease

Fold in half lengthwise and open.

All folding steps

  1. Step 1

    Step 1: Base crease

    Fold in half lengthwise and open.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2: Configurable nose

    Fold a top strip — vary its depth later as a ballast experiment.

  3. Step 3

    Step 3: Corners and body

    Fold corners in, then fold the plane in half.

  4. Step 4

    Step 4: Laboratory wings

    Fold wide wings. Keep the first version symmetric as your control model.

  5. Step 5

    Step 5: Fly, then modify

    Fly a baseline. Then change one variable (elevator, dihedral, or nose weight) and compare.

Flying Tips

  • Build two identical planes — one control, one experiment.
  • Write down each change; memory is unreliable after ten throws.
  • Use the Challenges pages to log your own measurements.

Paper Airplane Specifications

Difficulty
Medium
Folding time
6 minutes
Paper size
A4 or Letter
Best for
Science experiments and methodical trim testing
Flight style
Baseline glider — then whatever you turn it into
Notes
The point is the process, not a fixed performance claim.

Related Paper Airplanes

The Experimental Glider FAQ

What should I change first?+

Elevators (trailing-edge bends). They are reversible and teach pitch control quickly.