Paper Airplane World Record Leads To Outrage


In February 2012 officials from the Guinness Book of World Records concluded that an airplane thrown inside an aircraft carrier had flown further than any other paper airplane flight ever recorded. Designed by television producer John Collins, 51, the paper airplane managed to travel 226 feet 10 inches using the arm of Joe Ayoob, a former California-Berkeley quarterback.

Now some of the most diehard builders of paper airplanes are crying foul. According to the previous paper airplane world record holder Stephen Kreiger in an interview with the Wall Street Journal:

“I don’t really think that’s the spirit of the competition.”

He argued that his world record at the age of 15 was thrown using a paper airplane he built and tossed himself, a record that has stood the test of time since 2003.

“Competitive paper airplane flying had always been, in my mind, what can one person do with one piece of paper.” He adds of using a ringer, “I don’t really think that’s the spirit of the competition.”

Other organizations have shied away from Guinness’ decision to rank the world record differently, even though the thrower and plane investor are sharing the credit. For example Red Bull sponsored an airplane competition in early May and allowed only the designer to throw the airplane. As a Red Bull rep pointed out, “In the Olympics the coach doesn’t get the gold medal.” Then again the coach also doesn’t design and build the Olympian, regardless of what their mental and physical conditioning may provide to the athlete.

Do you think the new record should stand as a duo attempt?

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