My New Folding and Throwing Technique is Unstoppable

November 16, 2014 5:43 PM

John Collins, holder of the world record for paper airplane flight distance, shows you how to fold that airplane. Here, he demonstrates the plane to David Rees[previously], along with a few other designs, which he also teaches to you: the Tube, the Boomerang, and the Tumbling Wing.

There are some alternate videos on his website and via his youtube channel, where you can also see in slow-motion the technique of his thrower, Joe Ayoob.

posted by not_on_display (11 comments total)

Throwing a paper airplane and experiencing such bliss after setting the record. Weird and awesome.
posted by oceanjesse at 5:53 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]

It might not be a world record, but this throw is pretty epic.
posted by Ian A.T. at 6:08 PM on November 16, 2014 [5 favorites]

I could not tell even in slo mo, did Joe Ayoob snap his wrist like throwing a baseball or simply let it go?
posted by 724A at 6:10 PM on November 16, 2014

Clearly, next time they attempt a world record, they're going to need a bigger building.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:13 PM on November 16, 2014

If you're stuck with stupid American office paper like me I found that cutting a standard piece down to 7.75 X 11 was close enough to the proportions of A4 to fold the Suzanne, though I'm sure not for a "competition class" airplane.
posted by nanojath at 6:16 PM on November 16, 2014 [1 favorite]

Um, why do I have to log in with Optimum (my provider) to access a NatGeo page?
posted by monospace at 7:43 PM on November 16, 2014

God that throw on the soccer player is so epic. I love it every time I see it. Talk about bringing joy to the world.
posted by Carillon at 7:49 PM on November 16, 2014

After watching the "how to fold that airplane" video, I really want to buy him a bone folder.
posted by The Tensor at 10:56 PM on November 16, 2014

ALERT Stupid pointless region blocking.
posted by GallonOfAlan at 12:13 AM on November 17, 2014

I so hope they bring that David Rees program back.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 6:04 AM on November 17, 2014 [4 favorites]

After watching the "how to fold that airplane" video, I really want to buy him a bone folder.

If you look at his youtube clip on how to fold the "competition" level version of the plane, you'll see that he uses a bone folder.
posted by odin53 at 2:54 PM on November 17, 2014