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Science

See the ‘World’s Largest’ 800-Pound Paper Airplane That Flies 98 MPH

Mar. 23, 2012 11:49am Liz Klimas

The “Great Paper Airplane Project” by the Pima Air & Space Museum is a story of inspiration. The team at the museum was inspired to build what is being touted as the world’s largest paper airplane by a 12-year-old who recently won a paper airplane competition. On a broader scale, the museum hopes the giant version of this childhood pass-time will inspire younger generations with an interest in engineering and flight.

Great Paper Airplane Project Creates 45 Foot Paper Airplane That Flies 98 MPH

Is "Arturo's Desert Eagle" the world's largest paper plane? (Photo: Great Paper Airplane Project)

Art Thompson led the design and building of the 45-foot long, 800-pound paper airplane named “Arturo’s Desert Eagle.” The Arizona Daily Start reports that the team ran into snags when it came to getting off the ground, which is essential for flying a paper airplane, but eventually had a successful test flight.

Watch the Desert Eagle’s tow and release at about 2,700 feet by a Sikorsky S58T helicopter:

According to a statement from the museum, the plane flew 98 mph for six seconds before it began its descent back to the desert ground:

“The arresting visual of the paper airplane in flight rekindled the childhood creativity in all of us,” explains Yvonne Morris, Executive Director of the Pima Air Space Museum and Arizona Aerospace Foundation. “The museum is thrilled to conduct the first-ever Great Paper Airplane Launch, part of our larger effort to inspire America’s youth and spark a passion for aviation and engineering in the next generation.”

The Star reports museum spokesperson Tim Vimmerstedt as saying, “For several shining moments, our huge, beautiful, silly, hubristic 45-foot paper airplane soared.”

(Photo: Great Paper Airplane Project)

The inspiration for the giant paper plane, according to the Star, was seventh-grader Arturo Valdenegro, who won a paper-plane competition of 150 other Tucson-area students in January. This earned him a trip to Los Angeles to meet with Thompson and provide input on the giant paper plane. Valdengro has perfected his own smaller-scale design so that his planes regularly fly as far as 75 feet.

“I want to be an engineer — kind of like what Art does,” [Valdenegro] said.

Before the successful launch, the team was delayed with some structural issues in some test lifts of the plane, which required reinforcing. Earlier this month, the team also launched a 15-foot version, which ended up crashing to the ground and was damaged.

15-foot version damaged after crashing to the ground on a test flight. (Photo: Great Paper Airplane Project)

The team learned from this incident that they needed to get more elevation to prevent the chute from snagging. For the 45-footer’s launch the team had hoped it would reach an altitude of 4,500 feet but winds at higher altitudes caused the helicopter pilot to release the plane earlier.

[H/T Daily Mail]

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Comments (45)

lylejk
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 8:27pm
Cool; now where are the tree huggers protesting this. lololol

:)

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supressorgrid
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 7:27pm
Looks like the XB-70 Valkerie.

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lukerw
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 5:24pm
Wind Power: ‘Spruce Goose’ look out… here comes ‘Obama AirLines’!

I saw it in an Animation… for Landing & Breaking… the Passangers stick their feet out, in a forward direction, using their heels to slow forward motion! Obama Rocks!

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99oxymoron
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 5:12pm
I like the idea of setting it on fire. Or do like I did when I was kid, strap bottle rockets to it. Or in this case real rockets. Would have been way cooler. Not to mention actually filming the flight so we can see it would have been nice.

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yanki161
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 3:53pm
All that work and no one films the flight?

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GoodStuff
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:57pm
Just like the guy jumping out of a balloon at high altitudes last week, we don’t actually see anything. Where is the flying? Video fail.

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dlivelli
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:52pm
Congratulations, and it is really cool and all that, it must have taken lots of work and planning etc….. but one question…..Why?

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The-Monk
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:50pm
This reminds me of what Obama is doing with our “paper” money….

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Skee
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:45pm
Just gave the drug cartels an idea.

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mekusmilkdud
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:29pm
I wonder how much of my taxes went into the project?

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gr8t2bfree
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:01pm
I must be blind. I did not see this thing fly in the video. It appeared to take a dive.

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Tickdog
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 1:57pm
was someone bored or what?

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sbenard
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 1:13pm
Someone has waaaaay too much time on their hands if they are building 800-lb. airplanes!

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- sbenard
  Posted on March 23, 2012 at 1:22pm
  Should have said “paper” airplanes.
  
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- RingADingDing
  Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:02pm
  I was thinking the same thing. Don’t they have anything else better to do with their time?
  
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- MYHEROISRON
  Posted on March 23, 2012 at 2:02pm
  They should lit it on fire just as they released it. Would have been more interesting to watch …
  
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- 9111315
  Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:47pm
  What else would they do with the federal grant?
  
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- proliance
  Posted on March 24, 2012 at 8:25am
  It’s called a hobby.
  
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christos
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 1:05pm
@COFEMALE,,, Posting to the Gog and Magog reference by ITSJUSTTIM on what the word Gog and Magog actually means,,,the Gogs and Magogs are not hiding under the dress of the U.S. They are on +JESUS+GODS+ timeline and they are right on time…2+2 may be a more applicable playing field for you,,,understanding Prophecy,,you first need a True teacher.

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SenorStrange
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:58pm
Where exactly do we get to see the video of it actually flying instead of just some guy saying “it’s flying, it’s flying? Oh and by he way…I’m flying..I’m flying.

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Chuck Stein
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:38pm
@ COFEMALE
LOL — good comment

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cuinsong
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:36pm
I’m sorry but this is another scam video! What part of this video shows the plane flying on its own and the crashed plane is much too small for starters? I get tired of this kind of see if I can deceive you crap.
This song is for them who have lost focus “The Game of Life” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_12524752

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- MrSunshine
  Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:56pm
  The photo of the crashed plane is a 15 foot earlier version. Why don’t you READ the article before spouting your paranoia.
  
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flyingrobots
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:23pm
It is important to point out that our great technology requires a massive amount of people with knowledge. While this type of thing may appear (on the surface) to be a waste as its value cannot be measured at this point in time, the long term value of people experimenting and learning is vast. Even if it is with current technology.

We HAVE to have people learn these things, and they need opportunities to do so in a substantive way. Those that really want to learn these things will show it by their relentless pursuit of it. This was a fantastic demonstration. We need this kind of creativity and desire in all of us.

Hats off to you Arturo (and all those that helped), well done my friend.

–Kevin

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- Chuck Stein
  Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:41pm
  It’s not really the learning so much in this project. Rather, it is publicity. Inspiring kids to get into “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) studies. Which is more valuable to the individual and to society: a certificate in HVAC repair or a PhD in “Women’s Studies”?
  
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COFemale
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:20pm
I’m not sure which is more alarming, ITSJUSTTIM’s rants or Christo’s actually responding as if understand ITSJUSTTIM.

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hi
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:15pm
I know this is a hoax. They are trying to trick me again like the guy flying with wings.

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- AnimalsAsLeaders
  Posted on March 24, 2012 at 7:54pm
  In fact, I’m not fully convinced the internet itself isnt a hoax.
  
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OklahomaBound
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:11pm
I want to see the giant triangle shaped paper football that gets flicked through some goal posts.

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christos
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:08pm
Wrong Gog and Magog is the alliance of Turkey,Russia and Iran as written by +JESUS+GOD+ through divine imputing to the +Holy Prophets+ the Torah and Talmud,and transcribed into the Greek translation because the Greek language is the most thorough language ever created for each Greek word there is about 7 different meanings,so interpreting the King James Bible could not be misunderstood and perverted unless intentional.TA

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Stoic one
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 12:02pm
OH! the fire wood!

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USAMEDIC3008
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:59am
Worlds going to Hell and we are doing
ORIGAMI

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Itsjusttim
Posted on March 23, 2012 at 11:57am
I can’t believe you two are fighting over it, because clearly if one of you would just back down you will see the Forces of Jesus Christ knock them the hell out of the sky.

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