The Paper Helicopter Experiment
How to make a paper helicopter that flies? Here you will find a detailed description of the paper helicopter design and step by step assembly instructions.
Design
| Factors | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Material |
| 2 | Wing Length |
| 3 | Body Length |
| 4 | Body Width |
| 5 | Paper Clips |
| 6 | Folded Wings |
| 7 | Taped Body |
| 8 | Taped Wings |
| Parameters | |
| Wing Width | |
| Middle Body Height | |
| Fold Offset | |
| Fold Tilt | |
| Body Layers | |
| Tape Width | |
| Spin Direction | |
| Print Labels |
Roll the mouse cursor over the image
to see the description
Label - website of the manufacturer.
Batch ID is the serial number of the order. This number is assigned at the paper helicopter factory.
Knowing the batch and helicopter IDs is sufficient to retrieve all the information about the paper helicopter - its dimentions, material, time and place of manufacturing and etc. This information is stored in the paper helicopter factory database.
Knowing the batch and helicopter IDs is sufficient to retrieve all the information about the paper helicopter - its dimentions, material, time and place of manufacturing and etc. This information is stored in the paper helicopter factory database.
Helicopter ID is the last two digits of the paper helicopter's serial number.
Since each order consists of at most 25 helicopters, a paper helicopter ID is unique within a batch.
Paper helicopter ID can be used e.g. for randomization of the trials in pilot studies.
Paper helicopter ID can be used e.g. for randomization of the trials in pilot studies.
Material determines aerodynamic properties of the helicopter:
its weight, elasticity, coefficients of friction and balance. Material also determines appearance and durability of the vehicle.
CHC paper helicopters are build from high-quality paper of right density and firmness - these paper helicopters are marked with 'X'. Other materials, such as e.g. ultra-light plastic, are in experimental stage of development - these paper helicopters are marked with 'Y'.
CHC paper helicopters are build from high-quality paper of right density and firmness - these paper helicopters are marked with 'X'. Other materials, such as e.g. ultra-light plastic, are in experimental stage of development - these paper helicopters are marked with 'Y'.
Paper Clips are essential for the balance of the paper helicopter.
Paper clips (at least one) must be attached to the end of the paper helicopter body according to the marking.
Paper clips (at least one) must be attached to the end of the paper helicopter body according to the marking.
Spin Direction depends on the configuration of the blades:
folding the left (right) blade towards the front side of the Middle Body gives clockwise (counterclockwise)
rotation of the rotor.
The configuration of the blades is indicated by the "Top Side" mark - a properly assembled paper helicopter should have this label on top of the blade.
The configuration of the blades is indicated by the "Top Side" mark - a properly assembled paper helicopter should have this label on top of the blade.
Taped Body parameter
shows whether the paper helicopter body must be reinforced using a scotch tape.
Tape Width is usually set to 1, 3/4, 1/2 or 1/3 inches.
Tape Width is usually set to 1, 3/4, 1/2 or 1/3 inches.
Taped Wings
parameter shows whether the paper helicopter blades must be reinforced using a scotch tape.
Tape Width is usually set to 1, 3/4, 1/2 or 1/3 inches.
Tape Width is usually set to 1, 3/4, 1/2 or 1/3 inches.
Taped Wings
parameter shows whether the paper helicopter blades must be reinforced using a scotch tape.
Tape Width is usually set to 1, 3/4, 1/2 or 1/3 inches.
Tape Width is usually set to 1, 3/4, 1/2 or 1/3 inches.
Taped Width
is the width of the tape attached to the paper helicopter body or blades. The most common values are 1, 3/4, 1/2 or 1/3 inches.
Middle Body Height is the height of the paper helicopter cabin.
Cabin height is essential for pilots and passengers.
Body Length determines the center of mass position of the paper helicopter.
Body Width determines load capacity of the paper helicopter.
Body Width determines load capacity of the paper helicopter.
Wing Length (or rotor blade length) is one of the main parameters
of the paper helicopter. Short blades reduce drag and give higher rotation speeds (also increasing balance and stability of the flight),
while large wings suit best for heavy lifting and slow glide.
Wing Width (or rotor blade width) affects the flight characteristics of the paper helicopter in a similar manner.
Wing Width (or rotor blade width) affects the flight characteristics of the paper helicopter in a similar manner.
Wing Length (or rotor blade length) is one of the main parameters
of the paper helicopter. Short blades reduce drag and give higher rotation speeds (also increasing balance and stability of the flight),
while large wings suit best for heavy lifting and slow glide.
Wing Width (or rotor blade width) affects the flight characteristics of the paper helicopter in a similar manner.
Wing Width (or rotor blade width) affects the flight characteristics of the paper helicopter in a similar manner.
Fold Offset and Fold Tilt determine the shape of the paper helicopter blade tip.
Fold Offset and Fold Tilt determine the shape of the paper helicopter blade tip.
Body Layers - cut if body layers is set to 1 or fold if body layers is set to 3.
Assembly
- Put reinforcement tape, if needed.1
- Cut along solid lines.
- Fold along dotted lines.2
- Attach paper clip(s).
______________
1 It is more convenient to attach the tape before cutting.
2 Note to fold the blades of the paper helicopter in such a way that the "Top Side" mark appears on top of the blade.
Blade tips should point "up" as well.
1 It is more convenient to attach the tape before cutting.
2 Note to fold the blades of the paper helicopter in such a way that the "Top Side" mark appears on top of the blade.
Blade tips should point "up" as well.