Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Outbyte Driver Updater · freeRandom freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.
Find the Right Drivers →ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
The Speed Jet is built from a printed card-stock template, with a laminated fuselage, glued wing and a choice of five tail layouts. Designer Jose German Tapia’s instructions call for initial elevon and canard settings of 2 mm up and 2 mm down, respectively, followed by gradual trimming and balance checks. The guidance below follows Tapia’s Make: project, originally published July 22, 2015, and updated July 15, 2022.
What the Speed Jet is—and what to expect
Tapia designed the Speed Jet as a fighter-jet-inspired free-flight glider. Its visual references include the Saab Draken’s double delta, the McDonnell-Douglas F-15’s fuselage profile, the Eurofighter Typhoon’s canard and the MiG 29’s twin rudder. Its fuselage uses a laminated-paper approach associated with Yasuaki Ninomiya, while keeping the number of card-stock layers low to limit weight and work. Read the project and download the template on Make:.
The project page reports these design specifications; they are the author’s published figures, not independent measurements:
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Wingspan, wingtips up | 5 inches |
| Wing area | 16.16 square inches |
| Length | 9¼ inches |
| Weight | 0.20 ounces |
| Wing loading | 0.33 g/square inch |
Make: describes how to build, trim and launch the model, but does not publish controlled flight measurements such as distance, test counts or success rates. Treat performance and handling descriptions below as the designer’s practical guidance rather than verified comparative results.
#1 Best Overall
- Smooth finish for superior printing results
- Inkjet, laser, copier and offset guaranteed
- 65 pound cardstock
- Acid and lingin free for great quality that doesn't deteriorate
- 75 Sheets
Gather the materials and tools
Print the template on card stock. The materials list names Wausau card stock but does not specify a weight or finish. You will also need:
- Scissors
- White glue
- Two plastic rulers
- A ballpoint pen for scoring fold lines
- Binder clips or clothespins
- A computer and printer for the template
Build the glider from the template
- Cut and shape the wing. Cut out the wing and score its broken fold lines. Glue the leading-edge reinforcement underneath. Tapia says the moisture from the glue should create a slight downward curve and natural camber; use only a little glue to reduce warping.
- Fold and laminate the fuselage. Fold and cut along the fuselage symmetry line, then cut the marked sections from the designated side. Repeat for the other side and glue the uncut sides together. Clamp the fuselage between two plastic rulers while it dries to help keep it straight.
- Attach the fuselage and canard. Separate and score the canard flap. Apply a thin line of glue to the fuselage-to-wing tab, then align the fuselage over the wing using the template’s dotted guides and flush leading edges.
- Fit the chosen tail and reinforcements. Cut out the tail arrangement you want and glue it in place. Add the two folded fuselage reinforcements. The designer says they provide the catapult hook and nose weight, so extra paper clips or pennies are not needed.
- Finish the control surfaces. Cut the elevons and rudder along their solid lines. Bend both wingtips upward 90 degrees, then check the model’s trim and balance before flying.
Choose one of the five tail arrangements
All five configurations use the same parts. Tapia’s comparisons describe intended handling tendencies, not results from a controlled head-to-head test.
Rank #2
- NEENAH INDEX WHITE CARDSTOCK: The smooth texture and crisp white color of our 90 lb cardstock produces high resolution images and prints for attention-getting and professional documents
- LIGHTWEIGHT CARDSTOCK: This is 90 lb. INDEX cardstock, which is measured differently than COVER cardstock. For a weight comparison, it’s heavier than 67 lb. Bristol cardstock, yet lighter than 65 lb. COVER cardstock
- LETTER SIZE CARDSTOCK: This 8.5" x 11" white cardstock comes in a pack of 300, so you always have enough on hand
- IDEAL FOR EVERYDAY PROJECTS This smooth cardstock is ideal for documents, flyers, brochures, calligraphy hand lettering, and crafting!
- PRINTER COMPATIBLE: Works well with printers including inkjet and laser for jam-free every day printing Plus, it's crafted to be lignin and acid-free for long-lasting results
| Tail | Designer’s description | Consider it if… |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | A single vertical fin; described as the fastest and most directionally stable. | You want the more forgiving arrangement for learning the model. |
| Twin | Two vertical fins; said to reduce roll but encourage weather-vaning into the wind. | You want less roll and can account for wind-related turning. |
| Stealth | Twin fins angled outward; said to reduce much of the weather-vane effect while allowing more roll and directional independence. | You want a compromise between wind response and freedom to turn or roll. |
| V-tail | Two inclined fins; the author says turbulence at their joined surfaces can make flight unstable, with dives, recoveries, turns or rolls. | You are willing to experiment with a less predictable setup. |
| A-tail | Described as the most unstable; after tuning, it may produce stunt-like stalls, dives, recoveries, rolls and turns. | You want unpredictable stunt-like behavior rather than straightforward gliding. |
Set the initial trim and check balance
Set the control surfaces
The designer says a zero-zero setup—flat elevons and canard—will not fly. For a starting point, bend the wing elevons 2 mm upward and the canard flaps 2 mm downward. Then make small adjustments by trial and error. Tapia advises using smaller angles in stronger wind.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteCheck the center of gravity
Turn the glider upside down and balance it on two upright toothpicks placed at the marked center-of-gravity points. If the tail drops, glue small pieces of card stock to the nose. If the nose drops, shave away only a little paper from the nose. Make changes gradually; the designer recommends slightly nose-heavy over slightly tail-heavy.
Rank #3
- Professional Cardstock 80lb (235gsm): Manilaus 80 lb cardstock is a premium heavyweight paper designed for sharp, high-quality prints. The 80lb cardstock white sheets offer a smooth, bright surface, perfect for crafts, cards, and business use. Sized as 80lb cardstock 8.5 x11, they fit standard printers precisely, and our 80 lb cardstock 8.5 x 11 white pack guarantees you reliable performance on every project.
- Thick Paper for Printing & Crafts: Manilaus delivers premium 80lb paper and 80 lb paper options that handle detailed graphics and texts without smudging. Whether you need thick cardstock for invitations or thick printer paper for reports, we’ve got you covered. Our thick paper for printing ensures crisp, professional results, while cardstock printer paper and cardstock printer paper 8.5 x 11 sizes support all your creative needs.
- Premium Card Stock Paper White: Choose stock paper for projects that demand quality. Our card stock paper offers a bright, smooth base for crafts, while card stock white sheets enhance clarity and contrast. With card stock paper 8.5 x 11, you get the perfect fit for your printer, and the card stock paper 8.5 x 11 white version supports invitations, cards, valentines day decorations and formal prints alike.
- Reliable White Cardstock Sheets: The white card stock is perfect for crafts, business, or event projects. Our white card stock 8.5x11 size offers versatility across tasks, and white cardstock 80lb weight provides excellent rigidity. The white cardstock paper surface resists bleed-through, and the white cardstock 8.5 x 11 format fits seamlessly into everyday print workflows.
- Heavyweight & Creative Uses: Our 8.5 x 11 cardstock is the go-to for sturdy, professional results. Our heavy cardstock handles layering, folding, and embossing, while the heavy cardstock 8.5 x 11 version is optimized for durability. As printable cardstock, it’s compatible with home printers, perfect for invitation paper, card making supplies, or card paper for card making enthusiasts.
Launch the Speed Jet
Rubber-band launch
Tapia recommends a rubber band about as long as the glider. Launch at roughly 25 degrees above horizontal, aim three-quarters toward the wind and tilt the wings slightly into it. These are starting directions from the project guide, not a guarantee of a particular flight path.
Hand launch and the folded nose tip
The project also describes a hand-launch grip. Because holding the model adds weight at the nose, Tapia notes that the glider may become slightly nose-heavy and need more upward elevon. For a kid-friendly option, the guide suggests folding the nose tip backward. Cutting the tip off instead changes the balance.
Rank #4
- 【Colorful Cardstock】：Our construction paper assorted colors 50 Sheets contains 50 beautiful and popular colors to meet your handmade needs. You'll get 1 sheets of each color, including:Pink, Light Yellow, Bright Red, Light Green, Light Blue, Lavender, Golden, Lake Blue, Light Olive, Light Gray, Black, Crimson, Wine Red, Forest Green, Royal Blue, Lemon Yellow, Parrot Green, Hot Pink, White, Fluorescent Green, Fluorescent Yellow, Hot Pink, Silver Gray, Wine Red, Scarlet, Fluorescent Orange, Lilac, Orange, Light Green, Fluorescent Vermilion, Lake Blue, and so on.
- 【Premium Quality】 – This paper 8.5 x 11 inch colored cardstock features a sturdy 180 gsm weight, ensuring compatibility with most laser and inkjet printers. Crafted from high-grade virgin wood pulp, it is acid-free and long-lasting, delivering vivid colors while reducing ink consumption—especially for full-background printing. The thick, durable paper resists fading and tearing, while its smooth, refined finish offers an exceptional printing and handling experience.
- 【Full Core Dyed Cardboard】：Our premium cardstock is dyed all the way through with no white core, so folds, tears, punches, and cuts always reveal rich, consistent color—never white edges. Perfect for flawless, professional-quality crafts every time.
- 【Versatile Crafting Paper】：Perfect for creating card toppers, cake decor, invitations, gift tags, party bunting, origami, scrapbooking, banners, and rolled paper flowers. Its adaptability unlocks endless creative projects—from festive decorations to personalized gifts.
- 【Wide Applications】：Our colored cardstock is perfect for teachers' school supplies and parents' home activities. The vibrant colors help children with color recognition, stimulate imagination, and develop practical skills. It's great for educational games, crafts, and as gifts for students, adults, and art lovers. Additionally, colored construction paper can be used for decorations at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, parties, and holidays like Easter, Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Christmas.
Troubleshoot flight problems with small changes
The project’s troubleshooting advice adjusts elevons, canard angle, rudder and nose weight to address these behaviors. Change one thing at a time and use small increments so you can tell what helped.
| Flight symptom | Adjustment direction in the guide |
|---|---|
| Nose dive | Adjust the elevon or canard angles and check whether the model is nose-heavy. |
| Porpoising | Fine-tune the elevon or canard angles to reduce the repeated rise-and-fall motion. |
| Dead-leaf stall | Adjust the control-surface angles and balance rather than making a large change all at once. |
| Corkscrewing | Check rudder alignment and tune the control surfaces in small steps. |
| Sharp turns | Adjust the rudder and check the wing and control-surface setup. |
These are the designer’s practical fixes; the page does not provide measured settings for each symptom. Recheck balance after adding or removing nose material, and reassess trim if wind conditions change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Colorful Cardstock】：Our construction paper assorted colors 100 Sheets contains 50 beautiful and popular colors to meet your handmade needs. You'll get 2 sheets of each color, including:Pink, Light Yellow, Bright Red, Light Green, Light Blue, Lavender, Golden, Lake Blue, Light Olive, Light Gray, Black, Crimson, Wine Red, Forest Green, Royal Blue, Lemon Yellow, Parrot Green, Hot Pink, White, Fluorescent Green, Fluorescent Yellow, Hot Pink, Silver Gray, Wine Red, Scarlet, Fluorescent Orange, Lilac, Orange, Light Green, Fluorescent Vermilion, Lake Blue, and so on.
- 【Premium Quality】 – This paper 8.5 x 11 inch colored cardstock features a sturdy 180 gsm weight, ensuring compatibility with most laser and inkjet printers. Crafted from high-grade virgin wood pulp, it is acid-free and long-lasting, delivering vivid colors while reducing ink consumption—especially for full-background printing. The thick, durable paper resists fading and tearing, while its smooth, refined finish offers an exceptional printing and handling experience.
- 【Full Core Dyed Cardboard】：Our premium cardstock is dyed all the way through with no white core, so folds, tears, punches, and cuts always reveal rich, consistent color—never white edges. Perfect for flawless, professional-quality crafts every time.
- 【Versatile Crafting Paper】：Perfect for creating card toppers, cake decor, invitations, gift tags, party bunting, origami, scrapbooking, banners, and rolled paper flowers. Its adaptability unlocks endless creative projects—from festive decorations to personalized gifts.
- 【Wide Applications】：Our colored cardstock is perfect for teachers' school supplies and parents' home activities. The vibrant colors help children with color recognition, stimulate imagination, and develop practical skills. It's great for educational games, crafts, and as gifts for students, adults, and art lovers. Additionally, colored construction paper can be used for decorations at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, parties, and holidays like Easter, Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Christmas.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
