And if so where should the line be drawn?
I would be most interested in a line that would specify that questions regarding aerodynamics of advanced paper airplanes (beyond very simple stuff) and/or structural questions (again beyond simple questions). Does this sound like a good line?
Proposal: Aviation and Aerospace
I think that most technical question about paper aeroplanes would fit here.
The aerodynamics of paper aeroplanes are similar to the aerodynamics of real aeroplanes, although due to the scale and speed differences the Reynolds numbers of the paper planes are much lower.
Stability, dynamics (& control) are also similar, for example centre of gravity experiments can be very well conducted on paper aeroplanes using a paperclip.
When it comes to structural questions there is much commonality between a sheet of paper and a sheet of metal. Both perform better under tension then under pressure, the failure modes in shear stress are identical etc. This of course applies to paper aeroplanes that are a bit more complex than just folding a single piece of paper. In structural engineering classes at university I had to do several experiments with paper before building a wing centre box in sheet metal.
Question are getting out of scope when they are too specific about paper aeroplanes and have no relation to aviation in general.
I would agree with the sentiment that it should be allowed as long as it pertains to something more than just folding paper. I think it's more reasonable to allow grey area content initially and if problems arise with off topic questions, then we can add restrictions, but NOT before problems arise. Maybe that's just me though.
I would say so. There are only so may questions about airplanes. Any pilot will get huge amounts of training and likely will not have too much more to ask! They will have enough to say to make a Q/A site, but i am worried we'll fail beta. We should accept the most topics possible. Advanced paper airplanes are a good idea.
