Fly a plane across the room
You will fold a plane and compare three flights from one starting line. A strong throw does not always give the longest useful flight because the plane may turn or stall.
- Build
- Starter
- About 15 minutes
Grown-up needed: yes for setup, nearby supervision and clearing spills or loose pieces
What you need
- One sheet of paper
- A clear room
- A tape measure handled by a grown-up
The rule
Three throws. Best one counts.
How to do it
- Fold the sheet in half lengthways and reopen it.
- Fold the top corners to meet the centre crease.
- Fold both new sloping edges towards the centre again.
- Close the centre fold and fold down two matching wings.
- Make three gentle level throws from the same marked line.
- Ask a grown-up to measure the best straight distance from that line.
Why it works
The wings meet moving air as your plane travels forwards. Forces from that airflow can hold it up for part of its flight, while gravity pulls it down and drag slows it. Unequal wings can make it turn. A steep upward throw may lose forward speed quickly, so force alone does not decide distance. Keeping the starting point and throwing style similar helps you learn whether a changed fold improved the flight.
Make it harder
- Make the wings slightly wider.
- Compare one folded wing tip with two.
- Aim for a longer flight with the same gentle throwing style.
Ask Taz
- Why do unequal wings make my plane turn?
- Why does my plane drop after climbing?
- Why does changing a fold change the flight?
For grown-ups
Choose a clear route away from people, pets and breakable objects. The learning comes from comparing flights and noticing what changed, rather than throwing harder. Measurements may vary between attempts. Ask at dinner: “What would you keep the same if you wanted to test whether wider wings helped your plane?”
Taz is an AI and can be wrong, so stay close by. Read how safety works on Taz.
Show us yours
Film your hands and what you made, not your face or name. Ask a grown-up before posting anywhere else.
Questions parents ask
Do we need special equipment?
Use the household items listed above. Begin with a small attempt on a clear surface before trying any harder version. The listed time is an estimate, so leave room to rebuild or repeat without rushing.
What if the first attempt does not work?
Notice where the result first changed. Alter one feature, keep the rest similar and try again. An unsuccessful attempt can still give you a useful question.
Do we have to post the result?
No. You can show it to a grown-up at home. Online sharing is optional and needs the permissions in the privacy line above.
More to try
See all Taz Challenges, or look through the science labs. One place for every why. Ask for early access at aitaz.com
Try it in 3D: Aerodynamics.