Website    Purchase    Create Your Own    Stock Wing Templates   

  Assembly Instructions

Website Counter

Evaluations

FLEX-FLYERS™

 Personal information is removed for privacy reasons.

From: Roxanne Heffner, October 2nd 2010, Okay, that was fun! So, I assume you got my other messages? I couldn't get to the assembly page for some reason (message #1) and then, since the kids were too anxious, I decided to assemble one of them the way I thought (message #2). I figured that if I did something wrong we would still have another one to try out once I could view the assembly document. So, what I did, was smoosh up the ear plug by rolling it with my finger on the counter, thus, allowing it to fit down in the launch tube (I think that is what you called it). I put it in about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way. Then, I used a sharp scissors and cut out the wings against the outside edge of the black line. I removed the paper off of the sticky tape (nice cutting job on that with the tool you invented). Then, I adhered the wings to it as straight as I could. Removed the paper from the straw and bent the flaps a little and there you have it.......It worked great! With some practice and tweeking it would do some different maneuvers! Mike found that if you slightly bent the wings down it would go farther. We all gave it two thumbs up!

Next, some ideas....1st, I think it would be nice for a vertical line to be printed down the wings. This would line up right on the tape strip. I had to reposition it one time and I still do not have it perfect. Just thought that was something little but I believe would be beneficial and pretty easy for you to do? 2nd, Perhaps putting a small slip of paper inside the package with directions on it may be good. (I figured that you didn't because this was just an evaluation one.)

Finally, a suggestion that may increase your marketing potential..... My kids enjoy coloring, as do most kids. So, in addition to the design printed wings for promos, maybe it would be feasible to just do wings with only the black outline and insert a little set of markers in the package, whose ink would stay on the wings. The kids could color and design the wings before the parent cuts them out and attaches them! Kids would love that! So, you would have semi-blank ones for kids crafts and the ones you print up for promos = more customers!

We found them to be very durable (even to the point of flying right through a ceiling fan - lol), a lot of fun, and easy to use! Great job! Oh, one added thing that I'd like to mention......Mike found that if you held the plane, blew into the straw and let go, it was propelled even farther - a fun experiment! (Maybe something good for homeschoolers? Perhaps a science kit? At least I think it is worth checking into.)

Well I hope that I was of some help, and again, that was fun. We enjoyed it and I wish you the best of luck! I believe your ideas have lots of potential! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me or call the cell..

09/25/2010 to 09/29/2010

Visit our website to see where we are now

in comparison with these blog posts.

Posts made after 09/29/2010 will be made in monthly intervals.

 

09/04/2010 to 09/12/2010

 

Prototype

Visit our website to see where we are now 
in comparison with this blog post.

I spent the afternoon testing my design and I am proud to say it flies just as I imagined. Today was a perfect day to test the Flex-Flyers, with wind conditions around 2-5 mph and a large grassy area to fly above. Testing was done while flying into the head winds and with tail winds  while making subtle adjustments to the tail stabilizers/elevators. Weighing only a few grams, the wind easily pushed the Flex-Flyer around. Under these conditions, it flew almost flawlessly. I also flew the Flex-Flyer indoors with no wind and it flew over 35 feet in a straight line. When tested outdoors, the Flex-Flyer traveled over 100 feet, with a tail wind and on a downward slope.  After over 30 flights and crash landings, the Flex-Flyer maintained it's integrity and was undamaged. The weight of the flexible plastic materials worked perfectly. The only change I hope to make soon is to the nose-cone.  I used wood but prefer to use a flexible foam.  Using a foam nose-cone will lower the weight and reduce possible damage from direct contact to hard surfaces.

So how dose it work? Simply insert the Flex-Flyer into it's launch tube, aim and  blow. 

 View a Video of Flex-Flyers in action 

The Flex-Flyers are part craft, part toy that  you assemble in just minutes. All materials are included to create two Flex-Flyers. All you need is a pair of scissors or craft knife and a straight edge (adults help young children).

 

Race them, fly them, Or collect them.  Enjoy hours of fun - for kids 4 and up. 

 This photo was taken on 08/27/2010 after a day of testing Flex-Flyer ( FX #1 prototype ). 

This is an image of the original wing template showing just some of the color possibilities.

In the future I will be offering several different wing styles and colors.

I also plan on making custom printed planes for larger orders (not yet established)

   
     Packing list x2                                       Packaging x1 per unit

• Nosecone                                                      Clear Bag - styles may vary     
• Air Frame                                                      Cardboard Fold Over - Including Bar code and ad.
• Adhesive                                                        2 Staples - to seal package
• Wings
• Launch Tube
• Stand and Peg

Over the years I have either been given toy airplanes or purchased them for myself or my kids. The one thing that I know is that they did not last long. Many of the airplanes were those thin balsa wood planes that you wind up and use rubber bands. The Balsa wood planes flew ok but they broke easily and did not last long. Styrofoam gliders also broke easily and didn't really fly that great. The Flex-Flyers are light, very durable and are made to last.

I have free evaluation samples - (you just pay  $2.99  ONLY $2.49 S&H)    (Form)

Instructions

 

(You just pay $2.99 only $2.49 S&H)

•   Assembly & Flight Instructions 
•   Online ordering