2torial #0646: Learn2 Make Paper Airplanes (Continued) Method 2: The Basic Glider Fly and be free! Most people fly paper airplanes indoors--that's where the paper is found, and it's a good, no-wind area. Hopefully you have the good sense not to throw your airplane--especially the Dart--at anyone's face or eyes. If you take it outside, choose a day and a place with no wind or very light wind, unless you don't mind chasing down the airplane. The launch technique: Grasp the model almost half-way down from the front end between thumb and fingers of your throwing hand. Have you ever thrown darts at a dartboard? The launching motion is similar. Hold the airplane up high, about eye-level. Point it in the direction you want it to go. Bend your arm at the elbow and then extend your arm with a flick. Open your fingers and thumb to release the plane when it's pointing where you want it to go. Variations on design: Some folks like to bend the back edges of the wings to be fancy. If you bend both trailing edges up slightly, the plane will arc upward when it flies. If you bend one wing-edge up and the other down, the plane will fly in a spiral. If you bend them too much the plane will stall in mid-flight--then probably come crashing straight down to the ground. For a futuristic look (with questionable functionality), take a pencil and roll up the outer edges of the wings. Release the roll-up and a spacey-looking curl will remain. -end- Learn More! or All steps at once