More than 50 enthusiastic children packed into the literacy school holiday workshop at the Orange Regional Library yesterday. 

Children heard an except from the book Paper Planes before making their own aircraft models and taking part in games which tested each plane’s flight duration, flight distance and aerobatic ability as part of the event.

Librarian Sean Brady said the popularity of the event was unanticipated, with many extra library staff coming on board to help. 

“These school holidays we were actually looking for a low key event that allowed kids to do their own thing in many ways, with not too much interactivity from us,” he said.

“It seemed to have gone totally the opposite way. It’s just taken off.”

VIDEO: The kids let their planes take to the skies:

Interest in paper planes has enjoyed a recent resurgence buoyed by the release of Australian film Paper Planes last year, he said. 

“A lot of kids came with a good understanding of paper planes, their construction and the designs they could use,” Mr Brady said. 

“Many parents who were talking to us and said the children have been building paper planes for the last week since watching Paper Planes.”

Participants Andrew May and Ziggy Marsh said it was nice to get hands on, creative and competitive whilst also learning. 

Mr Brady said the “literacy with a craft component” model of teaching, encourages children to read and embrace the library as a public space. 

“This event is very different for the library to do more un-programmed activities,” he said. 

WINNING paper plane pilot Andrew May said a simplicity was key to winning during the Paper Plane Olympics yesterday. 

His sleek and straightforward model sailed up towards 12 metres in the flight distance section of the competition. 

“I like to just fold and fold again,” the eight-year-old said. 

Practice and rigorous testing was also vital. 

“I did about 10 test flights and ended up with this plane. I wanted to make sure it was right,” he added. 

His practice included folding an A4 piece of paper in half, folding the two top corners to the middle crease, folding the flap again towards the middle of the paper, then folding the paper in half and finally folding the wings down.