Red Bull Paper Wings 2012: Will the paper airplane make it all the way to Austria?

Over the next two months, starting in February, national qualifying competitions for the Red Bull Paper Wings 2012 event will take place at numerous universities around the world. Any student aged 18 or older can participate and embark on an exciting adventure into the world of paper aviation.

What else is needed? Just a standard sheet of paper and knowledge of how to fold it into a paper airplane.

Of course, dexterity, strength, and an understanding of basic aerodynamics are also useful—but these aren’t problems if you’re willing to put in the effort. The popularity of this competition speaks volumes: In 2006, representatives from 48 countries attended the first world finals; three years later, at the second Paper Wings world finals, over 85 countries sent their national champions.

This year, qualifying competitions will be held in Ukraine for the first time. For more details, visit: www.redbullpaperwings.com or call 0508600414.

In Kharkov, the qualifying event will take place on March 12 at the Kharkov State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports.

Red Bull Paper Wings Competition Categories

Competitors can choose to compete in three categories: “Longest Flight Distance,” “Longest Flight Time,” or “Acrobatics.” Each participant may enter one or more categories.

· Longest Flight Distance

The winner in this category will be the pilot whose paper airplane, made from a single sheet of paper, flies the greatest distance from takeoff to landing within the officially designated airspace. Distances are measured in meters, centimeters, or millimeters. The current world record holder in this category is Stefan Kreiger from the United States, who flew 63.19 meters in 2003.

· Longest Flight Time

The winner will be the pilot whose paper airplane, also made from a single sheet of paper, stays in the air for the longest amount of time. Results are measured in tenths of a second. The current world record holder is Takuo Toda from Japan, who held this record for 27.9 seconds in 2009.

· Acrobatics

This is the most visually stunning and creative category of the competition, where participants’ creativity and flying skills are truly put to the test. The goal here is for the paper airplane to fly beautifully. The judges evaluate participants based on the following criteria:

• Technical design of the paper airplane
• Creativity (artistic design and styling)
• Flight performance

No specific categories are designated for elaborate maneuvers such as spirals, stalls, or loops.