Spa Panther Builder Manual

Panther Builders Manual

Team Panther

Sport Performance Aviation LLC

10/21/2013

Revision 1.5.2

Panther Builders Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 4

About This Document.............................................................................................................................................. 4

References .................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Getting Support .......................................................................................................................................................... 5

Overview of Build Layout ...................................................................................................................................... 5

Getting Ready to Build ................................................................................................................................................ 5

Building Considerations ......................................................................................................................................... 5

LSA Version............................................................................................................................................................... 5

Sport Version ........................................................................................................................................................... 5

Folding Wings .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Tri-Cycle Gear .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Rivet Options ........................................................................................................................................................... 6

Understanding the Plans ....................................................................................................................................... 8

Plans Layout ............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Part Numbers ........................................................................................................................................................... 9

Processes .................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Parts Preparation................................................................................................................................................ 10

Verifying Straightness ...................................................................................................................................... 11

Countersinking Holes........................................................................................................................................ 12

Dimpling Techniques ........................................................................................................................................ 12

Building the Tail ......................................................................................................................................................... 12

Parts Inventory List............................................................................................................................................... 12

Tools Needed ............................................................................................................................................................ 15

Elevators ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Right Elevator ....................................................................................................................................................... 16

Left Elevator .......................................................................................................................................................... 21

Rudder ......................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Overview ................................................................................................................................................................. 26

Detailed Instructions......................................................................................................................................... 26

Horizontal Tail ......................................................................................................................................................... 34

Overview ................................................................................................................................................................. 34

Detailed Instructions......................................................................................................................................... 35

Vertical Tail ............................................................................................................................................................... 43

Vertical Stab .......................................................................................................................................................... 43

Finishing the Tail ................................................................................................................................................ 49

Building the Wings .................................................................................................................................................... 50

Building the Spar .................................................................................................................................................... 50

Hardware List ....................................................................................................................................................... 50

Introduction

Welcome to the Panther Builders Manual. The Panther is versatile, mid-sized, single seat

low wing Sport or LSA aerobatic airplane with quick fold wings. This manual is to be used

in conjunction with the plans for builders to assemble their Panther Sport or LS.

About This Document

This document is being revised on a regular basis. Therefore this document will only be

available online. The revision date and number is listed on the first page of this document.

If you have printed this document, please make sure you check the online copy for a new

revision.

References

There is so much information available these days that it can seem a little overwhelming.

However, if you can start with a few trusted sources the rest will come easy. This is the

information age after all, so take advantage of it and dive in!

Panther Builders Cave – this site is designed as the place for builders to get documentation

and see revisions and announcements. This site is restricted and only builders will have

access to it. The site URL is https://FlywithSPA.sharepoint.com/sites/Builders. If you are

a Panther plans owner and you do not have access to this site please contact us right away.

Panther Blog – this is a must for anyone who wants to keep up with what is going on with

SPA. Sign up for automatic email delivery at www.FlyPanther.net on the right.

Panther Forum – this is an online forum that builders and potential builders can share their

suggestions, comments, how to’s and how not to’s. Sign up and post questions here. Please

note, this is not highly monitored by SPA, so take the information as is and if you have a

question that you need an official designer’s response please contact SPA. Click here for the

forum - http://flywithspa.com/panther/panthercavebuilderforum.html

SPA LLC Website – accessory links, official pricing structures, and important information can

be found at www.FlywithSpa.com. Please use this site regularly so you are familiar with

the layout and navigation.

SPA FAQs – SPA has an ever-expanding knowledge base and online FAQ library that can be

seen here: http://flywithspa.com/panther/pantherfaqs.html

EAA Homebuilders - The EAA Homebuilders website is an excellent resource for online

videos, form searches and links to some great data. http://www.eaa.org/homebuilders/