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Boomerang Paper Airplane

Build a Hunting Flight airplane with a layered nose, upright wingtips and two cut elevator tabs. Then try a banked launch with small adjustments for a returning path. Return flight is not guaranteed.

Preparation + 22 numbered steps

Materials

US Letter, portrait · 8.5 × 11 inches

One flexible 8½ × 11-inch Letter sheet, ruler, pencil and scissors. Four short slits release two tail tabs; no pieces are removed. Use Letter for these measurements. Optional tape may help hold the body closed during trials.

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Read all illustrated steps ↓Download PDF ↓ · one-page illustrated guide
Hunting Flight paper airplane with upright wingtips, raised wings and two cut elevator tabs
Hunting Flight with a returning-flight setup

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Preparation

The interactive guide needs JavaScript. Read every illustrated step below.

Camera only; does not change the fold.
Help · controls & diagram

Play or drag the progress slider to watch a fold from 0% to 100%. Use the view buttons or drag the diagram to look from another angle.

Blue and gold identify the original left and right paper halves; dark shades show reverse faces. Orange marks moving paper and hinges. The tail detail distinguishes four solid cut lines from the uncut tab bases.

With the diagram focused: Space plays or pauses, ←/→ change steps, and Home resets.

Every step, at a glance

Compare your paper with each diagram after completing the action. Blue and gold identify the original left and right paper halves; dark shades show reverse faces. Orange marks moving paper and hinges. The tail detail distinguishes four solid cut lines from the uncut tab bases.

  1. 0. Prepare a Letter sheet
  2. 1. Crease the center
  3. 2. Open the center guide
  4. 3. Make a 5 cm top band
  5. 4. Halve the band
  6. 5. Halve the band again
  7. 6. Fold the left corner behind
  8. 7. Fold the right corner behind
  9. 8. Cut four elevator slits
  10. 9. Close the center body
  11. 10. Fold the first wing
  12. 11. Turn to the other side
  13. 12. Fold the second wing
  14. 13. Turn back
  15. 14. Open the first wing
  16. 15. Open the second wing
  17. 16. Raise the first wingtip
  18. 17. Raise the second wingtip
  19. 18. Raise the first elevator
  20. 19. Raise the second elevator
  21. 20. Hold the body underneath
  22. 21. Try a banked launch
  23. 22. Adjust in small steps
  1. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    PREPARATION · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Prepare a Letter sheet

    Place the rectangle with a short edge at the top. Keep the lower edge as the tail.

    Layers: One whole 8½ × 11-inch sheet.

    Check: Have a ruler, pencil and scissors ready.

    Explore this step ↑
  2. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    STEP 1 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Crease the center

    Bring the left long edge onto the right long edge. Press a straight crease.

    Layers: Move the entire left half.

    Check: The long edges match.

    Explore this step ↑
  3. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    STEP 2 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Open the center guide

    Unfold fully onto the table. Keep the original top edge at the top.

    Layers: Return the same half.

    Check: The center guide divides the sheet lengthwise.

    Explore this step ↑
  4. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldBAND: 5 cm

    STEP 3 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Make a 5 cm top band

    Measure 5 cm down from the top on both sides. Fold the top strip toward you on the line between those marks.

    Layers: Move the entire top strip.

    Check: The folded band is 5 cm deep; its raw edge lands 10 cm below the original top.

    Explore this step ↑
  5. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldHALVE BAND: 2.5 cm

    STEP 4 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Halve the band

    Bring the folded top edge down to the raw edge at the bottom of the band. Crease halfway across the band.

    Layers: Carry every layer in the upper half of the band.

    Check: The new band is 2.5 cm deep, not another 5 cm roll.

    Explore this step ↑
  6. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldHALVE AGAIN: 1.25 cm

    STEP 5 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Halve the band again

    Bring the new top edge to the same lower edge of the band. Press firmly.

    Layers: Fold the complete upper half of the thick band.

    Check: The reinforced band is now 1.25 cm deep and eight layers thick.

    Explore this step ↑
  7. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    STEP 6 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Fold the left corner behind

    Fold the upper-left corner away from you, putting its top edge along the centerline on the back.

    Layers: Move the whole left corner packet, including all band layers.

    Check: A diagonal left shoulder appears on the plain face.

    Explore this step ↑
  8. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    STEP 7 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Fold the right corner behind

    Match the other corner on the back, bringing its top edge onto the centerline.

    Layers: Carry the whole right corner packet; keep the first closed.

    Check: The reinforced nose points upward.

    Explore this step ↑
  9. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldTAIL DETAIL · CUT SOLID RED LINES ONLYFROM CENTER: 1¼ in AND 2¾ in EACH SIDEFOUR SLITS: ⅜ in DEEP · KEEP TAB BASES JOINEDSCISSORS · NO PAPER REMOVED

    STEP 8 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Cut four elevator slits

    At the tail, mark 1¼ inches and 2¾ inches to each side of the center crease. At each mark cut straight inward ⅜ inch, perpendicular to the tail edge. Make four slits only; do not cut across their inner ends.

    Layers: Cut the single tail layer while the plane is still open. Nothing is removed.

    Check: Two 1½-inch-wide tabs remain attached along their bases.

    Explore this step ↑
  10. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    STEP 9 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Close the center body

    Bring the original left half toward you over the right half. Keep the nose layers together.

    Layers: Carry the complete left half, including its tail tab.

    Check: The edges match and the rear corner folds are outside.

    Explore this step ↑
  11. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldROOT: 1.5 cm FROM CENTER

    STEP 10 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Fold the first wing

    Measure 1.5 cm from the centerfold and draw a parallel root line. Fold the first wing outward along it.

    Layers: Move all layers outside the root on the original left half.

    Check: The body strip is 1.5 cm deep along its length.

    Explore this step ↑
  12. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    STEP 11 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Turn to the other side

    Turn the whole folded plane over to reach the second wing.

    Layers: No fold opens.

    Check: The other half faces you.

    Explore this step ↑
  13. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldROOT: 1.5 cm FROM CENTER

    STEP 12 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Fold the second wing

    Mark the matching parallel root 1.5 cm from the centerfold and fold the second wing outward.

    Layers: Move only the original right wing packet.

    Check: Both body strips and wing outlines match.

    Explore this step ↑
  14. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    STEP 13 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Turn back

    Turn the complete folded plane back before opening the wings.

    Layers: Keep both wing-root creases closed.

    Check: The first folded wing faces you again.

    Explore this step ↑
  15. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldWING: 10° ABOVE LEVEL

    STEP 14 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Open the first wing

    Hold the body shut and open the first wing past a right angle, so it will sit slightly above level when the body is underneath. The diagram shows 10° above level.

    Layers: Move the entire first wing along its root.

    Check: The wing rises gently from body to tip.

    Explore this step ↑
  16. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldWING: 10° ABOVE LEVEL

    STEP 15 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Open the second wing

    Open the other wing by the same amount. Compare them from the nose.

    Layers: Keep the body closed.

    Check: Both wings form a shallow upward V, not a downward droop.

    Explore this step ↑
  17. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldTIP STRIP: ½ in

    STEP 16 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Raise the first wingtip

    Mark a strip ½ inch wide along the first outer straight edge. Fold this strip upward to a right angle from the wing.

    Layers: Move the complete outer strip, including any nose-band material at its front.

    Check: The fin stands above the wing.

    Explore this step ↑
  18. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldTIP STRIP: ½ in

    STEP 17 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Raise the second wingtip

    Fold the matching ½-inch strip upward on the other wing.

    Layers: Only the outer strip moves.

    Check: The two upright fins match.

    Explore this step ↑
  19. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldRAISE TAB: 10° STARTING SETTING

    STEP 18 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Raise the first elevator

    Find the first tab between the two slits. Bend it slightly upward along the uncut line joining the slit ends. The diagram shows a 10° starting bend.

    Layers: Only the released tail tab moves.

    Check: Its back edge rises while the adjacent tail stays still.

    Explore this step ↑
  20. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldRAISE TAB: 10° STARTING SETTING

    STEP 19 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Raise the second elevator

    Bend the other tab upward by the same small amount.

    Layers: Keep both uncut tab bases attached.

    Check: Both tabs rise equally; the wingtip fins stay upright.

    Explore this step ↑
  21. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: gold

    STEP 20 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Hold the body underneath

    Rotate the whole plane so the narrow body hangs beneath the wings. This is handling, not a new crease.

    Layers: Move the whole connected construction.

    Check: Both wings and tail tabs slope upward.

    Explore this step ↑
  22. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldREAR VIEW · EXAMPLE LEFT BANKLEFT45°LEFT WING LOW · GENTLE FORWARD RELEASEBANK 45° INTO TURN · RETURN UNTESTED

    STEP 21 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Try a banked launch

    In a clear, calm area, hold the body below the wings. Bank about 45° into the intended turn: left wing lower for a left turn, right wing lower for a right turn. Try a gentle forward release. Do not spin it like an L-shaped boomerang.

    Layers: Hold the body shut without crushing the wings.

    Check: Bank describes side-to-side tilt, not a 45° upward throw. Returning flight is untested here.

    Explore this step ↑
  23. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldADJUST GRADUALLY · NO GUARANTEED RETURN

    STEP 22 · Hunting Flight · returning setup

    Adjust in small steps

    If it does not complete the turn, the source suggests a little more bank or up-elevator. If the loop is too tight, reduce the elevator bend. Change one small setting at a time. If the body opens, a small tape strip below the wing roots may help hold it closed.

    Layers: Adjust only the tab bends, wing openings or body closure; keep left and right wings matched.

    Check: Paper, wind and launch technique affect the result. This setup does not guarantee a return or catch.

    Explore this step ↑
Sources & notes

Fold’N Fly (construction and returning-flight reference; designer unestablished), Hunting Flight and Turn Paper Airplanes Into Boomerangs (undefined).

Hunting Flight photo instructions ↗ · Hunting Flight folding video ↗ · Returning-airplane setup ↗

The designer and design-reuse license are unestablished; this design is not labeled traditional or public domain. Reference photographs, video and text have separate rights. Our English instructions, geometric diagrams and code are independently authored with AI assistance; reference assets and templates are not reproduced.

Adaptation: Boomerang describes the intended flight setup, not a separate invention or a spinning L-shaped boomerang. The base is Hunting Flight, which the same publisher explicitly recommends for a returning-airplane setup. The 5 cm band is halved twice, matching the photos and video, rather than rolled down by the same width each time. We use Letter only and separate paired folds and handling. The source gives a 15 mm body height; our wing roots run parallel to the centerfold at that distance. The ½-inch tip strips, four ⅜-inch-deep slits at 1¼ and 2¾ inches from center, 10° positive dihedral and 10° elevator bends are authored starting settings, not source-specified or flight-validated measurements. The source allows crimped or slit elevators; this guide uses slits cut while the sheet is flat for access. Optional tape is not part of the illustrated untaped construction. Return advice stays within this guide.

Original instructions and diagrams, made with AI assistance. About & reuse

Accuracy notes

Real-paper follow-along and paper weight have not been tested. Diagrams illustrate the sequence, not paper thickness, contact, collisions or exact layer visibility.