American Spirit Sailplane Kit.

I'm the proud new owner of an Spirit Kit. The fuse has been glued and the wings are close to complete but not glued. Lots of parts but missing lots too, it has been kicked around alot and hardware and who knows what will have to be found, bought or made. The biggest thing missing is the construction manuals and parts/inventory information. Does anyone out there have the manuals I could get a copy of? Any other help would be great.
Thanks George

Nothing quite like a kit without instructions.

On Monday, January 27, 2014 8:03:50 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Nothing quite like a kit without instructions.

at least there will be no question about the 51% rule.

On Monday, January 27, 2014 1:43:58 PM UTC-8, George McLaughlin wrote:
I'm the proud new owner of an Spirit Kit. The fuse has been glued and the wings are close to complete but not glued. Lots of parts but missing lots too, it has been kicked around alot and hardware and who knows what will have to be found, bought or made. The biggest thing missing is the construction manuals and parts/inventory information. Does anyone out there have the manuals I could get a copy of? Any other help would be great.

Thanks George

I've built 3 glider kits and 1 from scratch...............there is enough tribal knowledge out there that you could do it w/o instructions.

not that it won't be a challenge, parts and processes.

Brad
Tetra-15 GK

I remember reading in RAS and other sources about a potential design flaw in the Spirit involving wing failure under testing that occurred below the design limit. There was some mention of a potential fix that you may be able to incorporate. Please look into this further. I am sorry but I do not have any further information for you.

Brian K. Lott

On Monday, January 27, 2014 1:43:58 PM UTC-8, George McLaughlin wrote:
I'm the proud new owner of an Spirit Kit. The fuse has been glued and the wings are close to complete but not glued. Lots of parts but missing lots too, it has been kicked around alot and hardware and who knows what will have to be found, bought or made. The biggest thing missing is the construction manuals and parts/inventory information. Does anyone out there have the manuals I could get a copy of? Any other help would be great.

Thanks George

Forgive me if I am wrong, but I believe that the Spirit kit had some engineering issues about wing spar strength at the root. I know a pilot who flies a re-engineered Spirit and have contacted him suggesting that he may be able to help.

On Monday, January 27, 2014 8:02:45 PM UTC-7, wrote:
I remember reading in RAS and other sources about a potential design flaw in the Spirit involving wing failure under testing that occurred below the design limit. There was some mention of a potential fix that you may be able to incorporate. Please look into this further. I am sorry but I do not have any further information for you.



Brian K. Lott

Ralph Luebke cooked one spar fix IIRC, but it was applied after the wings were closed so resulted in bumps near the spar fuselage juncture. Also check with Mississippi State Soaring Club as they are nearing completion or have completed a kit donated through the Collegiate Soaring Association. Dr. Mark Maughmer's glider design program at Penn State also developed a solution using another donated kit, but I don't know if it's available to Joe Builder Pilot. That kit won't fly but is/was a design study.

Frank Whiteley

On Monday, January 27, 2014 1:43:58 PM UTC-8, George McLaughlin wrote:
I'm the proud new owner of an Spirit Kit. The fuse has been glued and the wings are close to complete but not glued. Lots of parts but missing lots too, it has been kicked around alot and hardware and who knows what will have to be found, bought or made. The biggest thing missing is the construction manuals and parts/inventory information. Does anyone out there have the manuals I could get a copy of? Any other help would be great. Thanks George

George,

I built an early kit and fly it regularly (over 750 hrs). I did beef up the wing and tested same to 7.5 gs. I will be happy to share what knowledge I have with you.

Tom Riley

George,
The guys that bought the rights and molds to the Spirit/Falcon have various parts and computer files. They are members at my club, York Soaring, in Canada. Contact me directly and I'll put you in touch with one of them.
- John

On Tuesday, January 28, 2014 8:09:27 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Monday, January 27, 2014 1:43:58 PM UTC-8, George McLaughlin wrote: I'm the proud new owner of an Spirit Kit. The fuse has been glued and the wings are close to complete but not glued. Lots of parts but missing lots too, it has been kicked around alot and hardware and who knows what will have to be found, bought or made. The biggest thing missing is the construction manuals and parts/inventory information. Does anyone out there have the manuals I could get a copy of? Any other help would be great. Thanks George George, I built an early kit and fly it regularly (over 750 hrs). I did beef up the wing and tested same to 7.5 gs. I will be happy to share what knowledge I have with you. Tom Riley

George and Tom, I'd be glad to share with you my experience and modifications I've made since I've been flying my Spirit since 95'. You'll definitely want to add quick control connectors and add the replacement Matco wheel brake assembly that was provided with the original kits.
Regards, Paul