Happy National Paper Airplane Day! On May 26 each year, today commemorates the simple aeronautical toy that’s been around for thousands of years.
Flying paper planes is an inexpensive, healthy, and stimulating form of entertainment. With that said, put down your smartphones and get outside for some primitive fun – even if for only a few hours one day of the year.
The use of paper airplanes is believed to have originated two thousand years ago in China! The earliest known date of the creation of modern paper planes was said to have been in 1909.
Did you know?
On September 28, 2013, the largest paper aircraft had a wingspan of 59.74 ft. Students and employees made it in Germany.
In February 2012, the distance record (226 feet, 10 inches) was set by Joe Ayoob with a plane.
The record time for the longest-lasting paper airplane flight is 29.2 seconds.
There’s more than one way to fold paper for a test flight. Find tips for designs by visiting the website below:
HOW TO OBSERVE
Test out 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 #CelebrateEveryDay!
Quiz
Q: The four forces that influence the flight of a paper airplane are thrust, lift, gravity, and drag. What is each of those forces?
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 is the force that pulls the plane down.
The right materials can create a lighter aircraft that stays up for longer. Drag is caused by the tail of the plane and is the opposite of thrust, and it makes the plane slow down.
Paper airplane contests compete for the top place in what two categories? Distance and Time to float.
HISTORY
National Day Calendar® was unable to determine the origin of National Paper Airplane Day.
#PaperAirplaneDay
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