Soaring dream: Aviation fan sells 16 million paper planes in 5 years

Aero modeling is a popular tech activity at primary and middle schools in China, with most schools using paper planes as a major teaching method. Traditional paper planes are too simple for teachers to illustrate basic aviation knowledge, and Liu's paper plane simulator perfectly solved the problem.

The paper plane simulator has adjustable flaperon, elevator, and rudder, enabling it to simulate various aerodynamic configurations; moreover, the paper plane requires no glue or tape, which is convenient and environmentally safe as well.

Liu's big moment came just after First Class at School, a large public welfare program covering primary and middle school students, was broadcast in 2013. "From barely one order we went to more than 200 models that single night," Liu said.

Schools around the country started to invite him to deliver lectures to students, even graduate students from China's top Tsinghua University became big fans of Liu's paper planes.

As the first person to mass retail paper planes in China, Liu earned 50,000 yuan ($7,475) that month, with the average price of a plane ranging from 0.5 to 2 yuan.

The aviation fan has sold 6 million paper flight simulators in the past five years, while the sales of surfing plane have risen to more than 10 million. "I am the top plane maker in the world, as none of my competitors has higher shipment," Liu said.