“NATIONAL PAPER AIRPLANE DAY”

May 26th “NATIONAL PAPER AIRPLANE DAY”

On May 26th each year, National Paper Airplane Day honors the simple aeronautical toy that has been around for thousands of years.

National Paper Airplane Day provides an excuse to play! This inexpensive, healthy, and stimulating form of entertainment brings lots of joy, too. In other words, put down your smartphones and get outside for some primitive fun!

Did you know?

Many believe the use of paper airplanes originated 2,000 years ago in China.
The earliest known date of the creation of modern paper planes was said to have been 1909.
The largest paper aircraft had a wingspan of 59.74 ft. Students and employees from Germany created it on 28th September 2013.
Joe Ayoob recorded the longest distance flown by a paper airplane in February 2012. His plane flew 226 feet, 10 inches.
The longest-lasting paper airplane flight flew 29.2 seconds.

There is more than one way to fold paper for a test flight. Find tips for designs at www.foldnfly.com.

HOW TO OBSERVE #PaperAirplaneDay

You can celebrate in a variety of ways. From challenges to creating new designs, paper airplane making is for everyone! Whether you play all day or just a few minutes, invite someone to join you. It is a great way to share the fun.

Test your paper airplane-making skills!
Like the paper airplane day Facebook page to join in on the festivities.
Watch flights on YouTube.
Use #PaperAirplaneDay to share on social media.

Educators and families, visit the National Day Classroom to discover fun ways to Celebrate Every Day!

Quiz
Q: The four forces that influence the flight of a paper airplane are thrust, lift, gravity, and drag.
How do these forces impact your paper airplane?

A:
When you throw the plane forward, this is called thrust.
Lift is a force that acts on the wings and helps the plane to move up. Big wings increase lift.
Gravity pulls the plane down. The right materials create a lighter aircraft that stays up for longer.
The tail of the plane causes drag. It is the opposite of thrust, and it makes the plane slow down.

Q: Paper airplane contests compete for the top place in what two categories?

A: Distance and Time to float.

How did you do?