Great Planes GPMA0535 User Manual

WARRANTY

Great Planes

®

Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of
purchase. This warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Great Planes'
liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Great Planes reserves the right to change or modify this warranty

without notice.
In that Great Planes has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly , no liability shall be assumed nor accepted

for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the user-assembled product,
the user accepts all resulting liability.

If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return this
kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE
STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS
IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS
CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF
THIS MODEL.

SPELP02 for Kit GPMA0535 V1.0

© Copyright 1999

P.O. Box 788 Urbana, IL 61803 [phone]

www.greatplanes.com

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TM

WARNING! THIS IS NOT A TOY!
This R/C kit and the model you will build is not a toy! It is
capable of serious bodily harm and property damage. IT IS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND YOURS ALONE - to build
this kit correctly, to properly install all R/C components and
to test and fly the model only with experienced, competent
help in accordance with all safety standards and common
sense as set down in the Academy of Model Aeronautics
Safety Code. It is suggested that you join the AMA to
become properly insured before you attempt to fly this
model. IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING R/C MODELING,
CONSULT YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP OR WRITE TO
THE ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS TO FIND AN
EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTOR IN YOUR AREA.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252
Tele. [phone]
Fax [phone]

Or via the Internet at: http://www.modelaircraft.org

Thank you for purchasing the Great Planes SPIRIT ELITE
sailplane. Soaring offers a freedom that no other type of
flying can provide! With a little practice and some help from
mother nature, you will be able to defy gravity and enjoy
flights that can last for hours.

The SPIRIT ELITE’S wing uses the SA7035 airfoil at the root
blending to the SA7036 airfoil at the tip. This combination
gives the aircraft a superior Lift to Drag (L/D) ratio with
outstanding performance in higher wind conditions. This
advanced wing design incorporates flaps and ailerons to
provide the ultimate in control when using computer radio
mixing functions.

Take your time and follow directions to end up with a
well-built model that is straight and true.

❏ Radio having at least 4 channels (5 channels required

for crow mixing)

❏ Iron-on Covering Material (2 rolls)
❏ Latex Foam Rubber Padding (1/4” thick) (HCAQ1000)
❏ Hi-start or other Launching Device (DYFP8302)
❏ BB’s or Lead Shot for Balancing

❏ 2 oz. Thin CA Adhesive (GPMR6003)
❏ 1 oz. Medium or Thick CA Adhesive (GPMR6008)
❏ 5-Minute Epoxy (GPMR6045)
❏ Hand or Electric Drill
❏ Sealing Iron (TOPR2100)
❏ Heat Gun (TOPR2000)
❏ Razor Saw
❏ Hobby Knife, #11 Blades
❏ Screw Drivers
❏ T-Pins (HCAR5100)
❏ Straightedge
❏ Sandpaper (coarse, medium, fine grit)*
❏ Easy-Touch™Sander (GPMR6170)
❏ Plan Protector or Wax Paper (GPMR6167)
❏ Lightweight Balsa Filler (HCAR3401)
❏ 10-24 Tap, Tap Wrench

The SPIRIT ELITE kit has two different wing options: a
straight wing or a polyhedral wing. The straight wing is for
the more experienced sailplane pilot. It allows better
coordinated turn efficiency and much better handling in
cross winds. The polyhedral wing has more stability, turns
tighter with rudder, and is generally easier to fly. If you are a
novice sailplane pilot we recommend you build the
polyhedral option.

BALSA BASSWOOD PLYWOOD

1. Unroll the plan sheet. Reroll the plan inside out and let it
uncurl. This will help the plan lie flat.

2. Remove all parts from the box. Identify each part by
comparing it with the plan, parts list and die-cut parts page.
Write the part number or size on each piece to avoid
confusion later. Use the die-cut patterns shown on page 3
to identify and mark the die-cut parts.

3. If any of the die-cut parts are difficult to remove, use a
hobby knife to free them. Use your sanding block to lightly
sand the edges to remove any die-cutting irregularities.

Get Ready to Build

Types of Wood

WING OPTIONS

Supplies & Tools Needed

Other Items Required

INTRODUCTION

PROTECT YOUR MODEL,

YOURSELF & OTHERS

2

3

DIE-CUT PATTERNS

Step 8

Step 6

Step 4

Step 2

Step 7

Step 5

Step 3

Step 1

ASSEMBLE THE TAIL

4

Cover the stabilizer and elevator
plan with Great Planes Plan
Protector or wax paper.

Medium

(When you see this symbol use the suggested CA.)

(When you see this symbol use the suggested CA.)

Thin

Thin

Thin

Thin

Step 16

Step 14

Step 12

Step 10

Step 15

Step 13

Step 11

Step 9

5

Thin

Thin

Thin

Thin

LE

SAND THE
ELEVATOR

BEVEL THE

LEADING EDGE (LE)

TE

Sand the stabilizer smooth. Round
the leading edge (LE) and tips.

Cover the fin and rudder plan with
Great Planes Plan Protector or
wax paper.

Step 22

Step 20

Step 18

Step 23

Step 21

Step 19

Step 17

6

Thin

Thin

Thin

Thin

Sand the fin and rudder smooth.
Round the LE of the fin.

SAND THE RUDDER TO A TAPER

Step 8

Step 6

Step 4

Step 2

Step 7

Step 5

Step 3

Step 1

ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE

7

Make sure the pushrod tubes
fit easily into the guide holes
before installing
the formers.

Use rubber bands to
hold everything together.

Thin

Thin

Thin

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Medium

Make sure the fuselage
lines up straight.

Cover the fuselage plan with
Great Planes Plan Protector
or wax paper.

Step 16

Step 14

Step 12

Step 10

Step 15

Step 13

Step 11

Step 9

8

Make sure the three punch
marks on F9, face the inside
of the fuselage.

Use rubber bands to hold the
fuselage together. Make sure
the fuselage is straight and
then glue.

Thin

Thin

Thin

Medium

Medium

Make sure the fuselage
is straight before gluing.

Sand entire fuselage smooth.

Round corners as shown on plan.

Trim off excess.

Slide in from back.

9

Glue and clamp the wing joiner
together using 30-minute epoxy.
Wipe off any excess epoxy before
it cures.

Cover the wing plan with
Great Planes Plan Protector
or wax paper.

1/16" [1.6mm] PLY

WING JOINERS

1/16" [1.6mm] PLY

JOINER CAPS

ALUMINUM JOINER

(Clean with alcohol)

Step 1

Step 2

BUILD THE WING

10

1/8" [3.2mm ]

PLY JOINER BOX

W23

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Cut the 1/8" x 3/4" x 12-1/2"
[3.2mm x 19mm x 317mm]
plywood to make the joiner
box parts

Position the 1/8" x 5/16" x 40"
[3.2mm x 8mm x 1016mm]
spars over the plan.
Cut the spars at rib 9.

Leave
1/4" [6.4mm]
overhang.

Cut the W23 balsa
shear web at rib 9.