Saint_LB

Did anyone ever take the time to explain the reason for all the airplanes?

I guess I shouldn't try to speak for everyone...and it has been quite some time since I was at the dome and tried my hand at it...but it seems to me that the pleasure derived from throwing the airplanes comes from seeing how well you can fold one. For every plane that you see flying across the field, there are probably dozens that don't make it 10 feet.

The planes usually didn't start flying until the game got out of hand...or boring...and launching a paper plane that catches the attention of the crowd can be quite thrilling.

Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right!

skymike

Thank you LB, you are 100% right. I didnt even think that some people dont even know why. Also, yes, it actually is a very difficult engineering job to fashion a paper/cardboard/game program plane that can actually reach the field. Just as people have died thinking they could jump to a pool from a balcony, because of the optical illusion, it is also hard to judge how far you really are horizontally from the field. So when
probably 95% of guys tried to throw a plane, it might go 10 or 20 feet, and crash into someone innocent's head. But when 20,000 people joined the derby, 5% planes would actually have the aerodynamics to float any distance. Just reaching the sidelines required masterful work, and even good ones couldnt do it. An occasional winner could make the field of play, which
required supreme mastery. So when the greatest of the great paper aircraft finally penetrated into mid-field, well, a stadium wide salute seemed in order. Which is why tv viewers might wonder why such a loud cheer was happening, during garbage time, during a huddle. Now you know.

Next up, we will discuss good and bad confetti throwing.