Red Bull Paper Wings Contest at Concordia

Do you think you can build the greatest and fastest paper airplane in the world?

Last Tuesday was your chance to shine as Concordia hosted the Red Bull Paper Wings Contest.

Audrey Folliot was there.

Concordia’s EV Building Atrium turned into a giant high school classroom as paper planes zoomed over people’s heads in an attempt to break the sound barrier.

Participating students put their paper plane folding skills to work to create the fastest and most original paper plane that can possibly be built in only a few minutes.

Then, the crucial moment came.

The moment when they had to test their airplane on the field and be judged by a panel of harsh individuals.

Their plane was judged on its airtime, aerobatic skills and the distance it could travel before landing.

Many contestants were actual engineering students, but anyone who was willing to participate had the chance to.

To encourage the aspiring paper plane champions, those who signed up received a free Red Bull energy drink from the Red Bull representatives present on site.

Computer engineering student Korhan Ackura said he relied on previously acquired paper plane building skills to get good results in the contest.

“We used to shoot the teachers in the head, so this is the same kind of design, so I’m hoping that this time I shoot distance.”

Others like Peng Xu, a mechanical engineering student, prepared a little bit more seriously than others.

“I watched some basic videos about airplanes just to myself and changed some parts, like I turn this up. It’s a little bit different from others.”

The contest went on for two and half hours and was a huge success.

Concordia’s Engineering and Computer Science Association took part in the organization of the event.

ECA’s VP External Affairs and third-year electrical engineering student Carolyne Gagnon had more details about the way it worked.

“I don’t know if Concordia’s the only school within Montreal that is doing this event, however all schools are allowed to hold the event at their school. Whoever does gets to send three people to Toronto for the National Competition, and the winners from the National Competition get to go to Austria.”

The Red Bull Paper Wings World Championship is being held in Austria in May of 2012.

The winners of the National Competition will compete there against winners from eighty-five other countries.

Concordia held this event as part of the ECA’s Engineering week, and more events are going on throughout the week, so make sure to check that out!

Audrey Folliot, CJLO News