Niles Bolton Associates Hosts Inaugural Paper Airplane Distance Challenge

In celebration of our aviation team, Niles Bolton Associates hosted its first ever Paper Airplane Distance Challenge! Over 40+ participants (a mix of full-time NBAers and summer interns) in our Atlanta and DC offices entered the competition. “It was a very festive event with no injuries—which says a lot given that there were no rules,” said DYE | NBA Aviation President and event creator, Mercer Dye. Everyone flew their plane the first round of the contest, and the top three people whose planes flew the farthest advanced to the second and final round.

How do you fly this thing, Chris Fortner?

Some contestants went with traditional aircraft designs. Others, like Director of Landscape Architecture Chris Fortner, went more innovative, constructing a cylindrical shaped plane that he boasted about for weeks prior to the big event. Fortner was unable to attend, so he recruited Senior Project Landscape Architect Michael Bailey to fly the plane for him. “I have total faith in Michael’s flying abilities,” said Fortner. Unfortunately the day of, Fortner’s plane made it less than a few feet from where it was launched. The phrase “epic fail” came to mind for many as they watched the aircraft crash into the floor. Rumor has it Fortner is now questioning Bailey’s throwing abilities, while Bailey is questioning Fortner’s aeronautical design abilities. Better luck next time for the landscape architecture studio.

The pressure was on for Project Architect Brian Whelan, who represented the aviation team. Though he was one of the top three finalists in the Atlanta office, he was beat out by competitor, Associate Principal Michael Kolodzy. “I was happy to have a good throw in the first round that put me in the finals,” said Whelan. “Unfortunately, my finals throw ended up hitting the ceiling and crashed out to take 3rd place.”

Despite some paper airplane design mishaps, the event was a huge hit. “Everyone was having a great time whether or not their plane did well,” said Atlanta Summer Intern Lexi Oran. “It was a fun way to end the week and see some new faces I hadn’t met yet!”

Over in the DC office, Architectural Intern Ross Brown admitted that he had built his paper airplane the night before the big event. Having only had a few test throws, he wasn’t sure how his model would measure up to fellow contestants. Turns out, he had nothing to worry about as he claimed first place at the competition. “There is certainly no greater honor than to be recognized from among my peers in a competition so fierce it has no rival,” said Brown. “The 202[1] Olympics will surely be put to shame with the amazing performances in the DC office. I would like to thank all my co-workers for pushing me to my limits. I couldn't have done it without them!”

Word on the street is that several NBAers are already working on their paper airplane designs for next year’s competition. Congratulations to our winners, and thanks again to Mercer for such a fun idea!