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We use standard size 6 inch x 6 inch (15cm x 15cm) square origami paper for this site unless stated otherwise. If you can, use different types of origami paper to change the look of the finished origami and have fun with it!

 

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Origami Hang Glider

The Origami Hang Glider is simple to make, although it may be a bit less exciting than a real hang glider.  It also flies smoothly and gracefully.

 

Made this origami? Comment and Submit your photo using the comment box at the end of this page!

 

Origami Hang Glider

Start with a square piece of origami paper. 

Fold it in half along the North-South line, and also along the East-West line, to make two creases as shown. 

 

origami paper ready to fold  

paper creased with valley folds  

 

Now fold the left-hand edge of the paper into the exact center of the square (use the intersection of the creases you just made as the center mark).

The fold the upper and lower left corners onto the center line, as shown below:

left edge folded in

   

corners folded to center

 

Next unfold the previous folds, leaving the paper creased as shown. 

Next line A-B gets folded to the centerline, and C-D gets folded away from the centerline. 

Look at pictures carefully:

corners unfolded   

starting squash fold   

 

 

completed squash fold

 

 

Now repeat the last fold on the lower half of the piece:

both squash folds completed  

 


 

The next step is to fold the top point over as shown.  There are now two loose flaps on either side, fold these up as shown.

top point folded over

 

loose flaps folded up

 

Almost there!  Fold the hang glider in half, then unfold. 

flaps folded

 

 

glider folded in half

 

The idea is to leave a small angle between the two halves of the wing.  This is called the dihedral angle.

It is used on airplanes to make them be more stable in flight. 

If you want to experiment, you can remove this angle, or reverse it, to see the effect it has on your hang glider's flight. 

completed orgami hang glider

 

showing dihedral angle for stability

 

You can secure the flaps with a bit of tape, to reduce aerodynamic drag. 

This will also improve the flights.  A paper clip can be added to the nose, this will make it fly faster. 

underside showing flaps taped shut

 

view from rear of the glider showing curved wing shape

 

 

Do not throw the glider like you might fly a paper airplane.

  To fly the origami hang glider, hold it over your head and at a downward angle of 30 to 45 degrees. 

Simply let it slide off your fingers towards the floor. 

It will swoop down gently, then slow down and level off. 

origami-hang-glider

 

From Taylor of Scarsdale:

origami-hang-glider

 

From Yaheya in Srinagar " A great gliding origami hang-glider ! "

origami-hang-glider

 

 

From Eryk in Gdynia " This is my glider. I added little fold in center of it and now it's flying! "

origami-hang-glider

 

Did you make this origami? If so, upload your photo (2MB limit) via the comment box below. You can login with your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Yahoo accounts.