How to Make the Cadet Paper Airplane

A Skystreak with a fuselage, the Cadet paper airplane is an excellent trainer/stunt demonstrator for people looking for an introduction to paper aviation or a testbed aircraft.

Note: For those converting an existing Skystreak airframe, proceed to Step 6.

TAA USAF Designation: TF85-1

Required:
1 Piece of 8.5 by 11 inch Paper
Scissors
Tape
or
1 Prebuilt Skystreak
Optional:
Pencil

Fold the paper along its width. Then fold it in half again, to result in fourths. Then open the paper. You should have a paper divided into four.

Fold 3/4 of an inch down from the top. Repeat until you reach the mid-section. Fold the paper in half along the center line.

While the wing is folded in half, cut two small fins into the wing. The cut should be from 1 inch back from the trailing edge at a shallow angle, (less than 45 degrees), 3/4 inch into the wing. Then fold the fins up. Repeat on the other side.

Tape the previous fold down on the leading edge of the aircraft.

About 0.75-1 inch(es) above the center, fold down the wing. The wing root should remain perpendicular to the leading and trailing edges of the wing. Repeat on the other side.

Tape the back and front of the fuselage together. Then tape the upper portion of the airfoil at the wingtip down to the undersurface of the wing on each side.

Flying the Cadet is rather simple. Give the Cadet a gentle toss and it shall demonstrate all the flight characteristics that it experiences. Enjoy!